TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………………………………………………… i
DECLARATION……………………………………………………………………………………. ii
CERTIFICATION…………………………………………………………………………………. iii
DEDICATION………………………………………………………………………………………. iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT……………………………………………………………………….. v
TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………………. vi
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………………. x
FIGURES, TABLES AND BOXES ………………………………………….
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study…………………………………………………………………… 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………………… 5
- Research Aims………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
- Research Question…………………………………………………………………………….. 6
- Significance of the Study………………………………………………………………….. 7
- Research Methodology………………………………………………………………………. 7
- Scope and Limitation of the study ………………………………… 8
1.8 Review of Theories ………………………………………………… 9
1.9 Definition of Terms ………………………………………………… 10
1.10 Research outline of chapters ……………………………………… 10
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………… 12
2.2 Definition of Gender ……………………………………………… 12
- Background to and Definition of Gender-Based Violence …… 14
- Evolution of Women’s Rights and Gender-Based Violence…………………….. 23
- Factors That Advance Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria …………… 29
- Effect and Consequences of Gender-based Violence ………………… 34
2.6 Theoretical Framework ……………………………………………… 37
CHAPTER THREE: MANIFESTATIONS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
3.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 41
3.1 Background of Gender-Based Violence …………………………………………. 41
- Expressions of Gender-Based Violence …………………………… 44
- Convention on The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
…………………………………………………………………………… 50
- Gender-Based Violence in Africa……………………………………………………….. 54
- Manifestations of Gender-Based Violence in Africa……………………………… 58
- Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria………………………………………………………. 62
3.3.2 Gender-Base Domestic Violence in Nigeria………………………………………….. 63
3.3.2 Physical/Sexual Violence in Nigeria …………………………… 67
3.4 Summary of Chapter ……………………………………………… 69
CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY
4.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………… 70
4.2 Research Design ……………………………………………………………………. 70
4.3 Source of Data ……………………………………………………………………… 70
4.4 Method of Data Collection ………………………………………………………. 70
4.5 Population of Study ……………………………………………………………. 71
4.6 Sampling Technique ……………………………………………………………. 71
4.7 Method of Data Analysis ………………………………………… 71
4.8 Validity and Reliability of Instrument ………………………………………. 71
CHAPTER FIVE: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH FINDINGS
5.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 73
5.2 Questionnaire Administration ……………………………………. 74
5. 2.2 Gender-Based Violence ………………………………………… 76
5.2.3 Domestic Violence Reporting and Male Response ……………… 79
5. 2. 4 Role of Culture and Religion ………………………………………. 79
5.3.1.3 Gender-Based Violence Prevention …………………………… 82
5.3.2.1 Effect of Gender-Based Violence on Women …………………… 82
…………………………………………………………………… 92
5.5 Discussions ……………………………………………………… 97
CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Summary …………………………………………………………………………………… 101
6.2 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………. 102
6.3 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………….. 103
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………… 105
ABSTRACT
The topic under review examined “Gender-Based Violence in Africa; A critical analysis of Rape Culture in Nigeria”. Gender-based violence (GBV) is ubiquitous, but still the least human right violation in the globe. Gender-based violence is a developmental challenge globally and it affects women and men from despite ethnicity, class, culture and race. Unfortunately, the scourge of rape in Nigeria is one that has been going on for quite a while and has been disregarded, regularly kept covertly as a result of ingrained man- centric sex generalization, social norms, religion, and media portrayal that see women as a sex object, and discourage open sex conversations. Nevertheless, the issue of rape has led to shame, mental injury, fear, depression and guilt in the victims of rape which affects them negatively. Indeed, the long silence on rape culture in Nigeria should be broken, particularly now that the victims mostly women now dare to speak on their victimization. The purpose of this study is to give a critical analysis of rape culture in Nigeria. In other to achieve the aim and objectives of this study, data will be derived from mixed-method methodologies which are the qualitative and quantitative method. For qualitative research, data will be collected through the use of survey (questionnaires) and interviews, while for the quantitative research, data will be collected and analyzed through content analysis of articles, newspapers, books, news, magazines that relate to the literature of this study as well as archives and personal observation. The study, was able to underline the variability of the degree of psychological and social factors that impacts on the victims of rape in the Nigerian environment. The study found that the victims are not willing to seek for medical or psychological counselling. This is largely due to ignorance and fear of stigmatization. The study also found that victims of rape consciously seek for adjustment mechanisms when they suffer physical conditions that warrant medical attention. However, the study recommends that it is critical for the Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, to have strategies for first of all, engaging in open discussions on the role that they could play in reducing gender-based violence, protecting victims of violence and creating spaces for discussions.
CHAPTER ONE
Over the years, the world has experienced a series of challenges in its quest for growth, peace and unity. Bearing this in mind, it is of great importance to outline the fact that evidence to this is the continuous increase of the world’s crime rate which, includes Rape. Gender-based violence (GBV) is ubiquitous, but still the least human right violation in the globe. Gender-based violence is one faced by different communities and countries, but it’s crucial effects are global. Gender-based violence is one with many forms such as domestic violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, partner violence and sexual assault (Rape). These forms of violence are faced by both men and women, though it is most common in women and highly reported, under-reported for men (Tade & Udechukwu, 2020). On the other hand, the term rape culture shows how the victims of rape are blamed for sexual assault done to them. Rape culture was formed by United States feminists in the 1970s.
According to Emilie Buchwald (1993), rape culture is” a complex set of beliefs that encourage male sexual aggression and supports violence against women”.
She further went on to outline the fact that rape culture stands for a society which visualizes violence as sexy and sexuality as vicious. In a quest for facilitating awareness on rape culture, Emilie Buchwald further accentuated how women continue to face threatened violence that goes from sexual comments to sexual contacting and rape itself. More so, in a rape culture, both male and female accept that sexual violence is unavoidable, it is an
unavoidable truth. However, what we acknowledge as inevitable is the expression of values and attitude that can change.
As a largely patriarchal culture, Africa has customs and traditions, since days of yore, that has endured and advanced rape culture paying little heed to the communities behind these cultures. A case of this is the marriage custom called Ukuthwala practiced in Nguni community in South Africa. In this custom, a youngster within the age of marriage would kidnap a woman or a girl compelling her family to endorse the marriage and start an arrangement. A similar custom is practiced in Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda. These communities have restricted the kidnappers having sex with the captured women, but the boycott is not constantly observed. In many cases, the women are frequently raped to compel the hand of the bride and family into accepting the marriage (WAWERU, 2018). In some communities in Africa, the female survivors of rape are viewed as miscreants and are regularly rebuffed in various manners which incorporate wedding their rapist or even put to death. A case of this is in Somaliland, where the rape survivors are compelled to wed their rapist to dodge disgrace and shame to their families. However, a historic law was passed in 2018 that would see offenders spend at least 20 years in jail for such crime. It additionally made the punishment for any individual who neglects to report such crimes. In a recent report by Human Rights Watch, the entrenched rape culture in Mauritania was highlighted. In the report, women and girls talked about how they were subjected to rape and the number of obstacles they had to face in their quest for justice. A lot of the women had to be bold enough to speak on the sexual viciousness faced by them because of disgrace, absence of equity and shame. One of the victims spoke on how she was sexually
abused by her father of which she eventually escaped, only to end up with a sexually abusive lover who vowed to wed her. Nonetheless, rather than arresting the perpetrators, the victim was arrested (WAWEERU,2018). In Egypt, rape is dealt with so coolly that a prestige attorney on national TV said that women should be raped as it is a ‘national duty’.
Unfortunately, the scourge of rape in Nigeria is one that has been going on for quite a while and has been disregarded, regularly kept covertly as a result of ingrained man-centric sex generalization, social norms, religion, and media portrayal that see women as a sex object, and discourage open sex conversations and denounce women who set out to revolt against their victimization. Indeed, the long silence on rape culture in Nigeria should be broken, particularly now that the victims mostly women now dare to speak on their victimization. In Nigeria, from accessible statistics, mostly women and girls experience sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) revealed within two years of its activity from 2014 to 2016 that there have been 641 rape victims and survivors of which 401 of them were under-aged, 240 were over 18 while 183 of them where bellow 10. In any case, out of the 641 victims, 629 were females while 12 were male victims and 24 out of the females were victims with disabilities. According to the National Survey conducted in 2014 on issues regarding Violence Against Children in Nigeria, one out of four females endures sexual violence within adolescence with roughly 70% reporting instances of sexual violence more than once. During the same study, about 24.8% shows that females within the age of 18-24 suffer rape before age 18 of which 3.5% get any service out of the 5% that seek for help. According to the National Survey on torture conducted by Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) in Nigeria reveals that 65% of women are being raped
and sexually abused. Another survey carried out in 2012 by the CLEEN Foundation uncovered that only 23% of rape cases are reported to the police and government. Hence, making 77% of rape cases unreported. Most often than not, the cases of rape revealed do not get reasonable treatment and neither do they get proper medical care. After much exploration and review from WACOL, it expressed that victims of rape hardly speak up as a result of shame, stigma from the general public, mental trauma, and Sexual Transmitted Disease (STDs). WACOL likewise expressed that due to the SGBV, the pace of HIV/AIDs has increased colossally in women and is reducing however gradually in men. The statistics of HIV/AIDs from 2020 to 2016 uncovers that these diseases have increased in women from 51.7% to 53% and has decreased in men from 48.3% to 46.9%.
Undoubtedly, rape is a serious crime. Under the Nigerian constitution, Section 358 of the Criminal Code expresses that any act of rape is punishable by life imprisonment and, Section 359 of Criminal Code Panel clarified that a rape attempt is punishable 14 years’ imprisonment. On the contrary, laws have been created to handle issues of rape in Nigeria. Laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of FCT,2015 (VAPP). Under this law, the punishment for rape is minimum as it is 12 years’ detainment with no fine, while the maximum punishment is life detainment and if the guilty party is under 14 years his maximum punishment is 14 years’ detainment. On the off chance that the rape was group action, the lawbreakers will go through 20 years’ detainment mutually. Be that as it may, the guilty parties will be named openly and victims of rape will be compensated as the court see fit. Although this law has been set up, there is still an absence of effective enforcement of the law, likewise the legal understanding of components of the offence of
rape like consent. In this case, when there are no signs of wounds, broken hymens or evidence to back up rape cases when these cases are reported, may not be indicted and when the guilty party is being indicted, the individual in question barely face conviction. Rape culture in Nigeria is increasing as victims are abused every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month and every year. The sad truth is that there is no safe space for women and girls in Nigeria as they face anguish caused by gender-based violence, rape specifically. Rape culture in Nigeria is now endemic. It is not a myth. It has become part of a woman’s reality. Furthermore, most African nations do not have laws against rape, and those that have the laws barely practice it. Wars and conflicts have additionally added to a portion of the awful cases of rape alongside the absence of prosecution which adds to rape culture. It was in 2008 that assault and sexual brutality were considered as “war crime and crime against mankind or a constitutive demonstration concerning genocide,” after resolution 1820 adopted by the United Nations Security Council. However, while there have been enhancements in handling a portion of these issues, Africa has a long way to go, particularly now that there are new roads to propagate rape culture and adequate information to demonstrate that sexual brutality is as yet widespread and new strategies are needed to deal with it.
Statement of Problem
Rape is a social menace which is becoming rampant in the Nigerian culture. It can be defined as an act of sexual intercourse with an individual without their consent, through the use of force. Rape has been a predominant problem for quite a while in not just Nigeria but Africa and the world at large. Bearing this in mind, it is of great importance to outline
the fact that the statistical evidence provided by SARC indicates the tremendous increase of rape cases within the span of 2014 to 2016 thus the registered number of 641 rape cases in Nigeria. More so, the culture of silence, as well as social imbalance prompts the prevalence of rape culture in Nigeria. Nevertheless, the issue of rape has led to shame, mental injury, fear, depression and guilt in the victims of rape. Bearing this in mind, it is of great importance to make provisions necessary to solve increasing efficiency in the process of penalizing rapist, fast and efficient treatment for rape victims while creating awareness on the issue of rape in Nigeria.
Research Aim
This study aims to examine gender-based violence within the context of rape culture in Nigeria.
To achieve the research aim, the following specific objectives are set:
- To examine the dimensions of gender-based violence in Nigeria with emphasis on rape
- To critically analyse the phenomenon of rape culture in Nigeria
- To identify and examine the response to rape in Nigeria
Research Questions
- What are the manifestations of gender-based violence in Nigeria?
- What are the drivers of rape in Nigeria?
- How do society and the government respond to rape?
Significance of Study
This study was devised to critically analyse rape culture in Nigeria. Thus, this study is vital and timely as the rape scourge in Nigeria is increasing tremendously. In addition to other things,
- This study examines the fact that rape is pervasive in Nigeria and is something that should be addressed as it leaves an incredible effect on the victims.
- Upon giving proof of its reality, the study recommends solutions to the phenomena of rape culture in Nigeria
- This study is expected to serve as a guide for understudies while adding value to the already provided academic research and also to the individuals who may find the interest and value the issue of rape in Nigeria
- It is trusted that with this study the government would welcome the issue of rape and come up with a response that will address rape scourge in Nigeria.
Research Methodology
Research methodology explains how researcher efficiently designs a study to ensure substantial and dependable outcomes that address the research aim and objectives. The purpose of this study is to give a critical analysis of rape culture in Nigeria. In other to achieve the aim and objectives of this study, data will be derived from mixed-method methodologies which are the qualitative and quantitative method. For qualitative research, data will be collected through the use of survey (questionnaires) and interviews, while for the quantitative research, data will be collected and analyzed through content analysis of
articles, newspapers, books, news, magazines that relate to the literature of this study as well as archives and personal observation.
Scope and Limitation of Study
This study provides an insight into the components and dimensions of gender-based violence, with an exclusive look into rape culture; this study is further constrained to a specific geographical region (Nigeria) to serve as an explorative research study into this particular population. In the course of my research, some factors limited my scope of the study.
- Time Constraints: Time constraint alludes to the impediments on the beginning and end of a project. There is a deadline attached to this study. Therefore, the time available to study the research problem change over time as it is obliged by the deadline of the study.
- Sample Bias: While in a quest of both primary and secondary research, a series of challenges were experienced as a result of restricted access to the appropriate type and geographic scope of participants.
- Response and Willingness: When researching topics that deal with peoples’ personal life and privacy, the victims of such cases are most of the time not willing to open up and don’t feel comfortable talking about their past as it may trigger their mental trauma.
Review of Theories
Theories are made to anticipate, clarify, challenge and broaden existing information and understand phenomena within the constraints of the basic bounding suppositions. The theoretical framework deals with structures that help or hold a theory of a study. The theoretical framework portrays and introduces the theory that best clarifies why the research problem under study exists. According to Baumeister, Catanese, and Wallace (2002), theories of rape cannot just clarify why men commit rape, it should also explain why men do not commit rape. They also accept that rape theories should explain why violence against women comes in the sexual structure and not simply brutal (Baumeister et al., 2002). For this study, I will be using the cultural spillover theory and gender inequality theory to explain my research.
Cultural Spillover Theory: This theory proposes that some cultural components in a roundabout way uphold or legitimize sexual viciousness. Notwithstanding, the cultural support for rape may not be restricted to convictions and perspectives that straightforwardly excuse sexual violence, for example, rape myth. The focal suggestion of this theory holds how society will in general support the utilization of physical force to accomplish socially endorsed closes like corporal punishment in schools and military predominance was to be summed up to connections between genders. At the point when this is summed up, behaviors, for example, rape emerge in society.
Feminist Theory: Another theory that explains rape is Feminist Theory. The feminist argues that rape is one of the manifestations of the huge problems faced in society due to male dominance (Cahill, 2001). The feminist view rape as a violent act than sexual act and guarantee that rape is urged by political inspirations to dominate and degrade. The feminist
view rape as a system of social control in patriarchal social orders. To the feminist, rape and the fare of rape gives men the preferred position to state their control over women and keep up the current system of gender stratification. Clark and Lewis (1977) allude the fact that in a society where women are viewed as sexual and regenerative assets of men, rape is likely to happen. In such social orders, men uphold their sexual rights using force or threats in supporting their powers and privileges. Feminist additionally view rape as a customary gender role attitude. As indicated by this view, norms related to articulations of masculinity, for example, dominance and aggression, urge men to explicitly abuse women. Taking into account that the securing of sexual contents is firmly associated with the improvement of gender role identities, it appears to be likely that male sexual conduct is imbued with the conventional manly attributes of dominance and aggression.
Definition of Terms
Gender-based violence: this refers to any violation done to an individual on account of their sex. It comes in numerous structures; sexual violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Rape: This is a form of sexual assault. It refers to forced sexual intercourse that occurs between adults and minors, likewise between same-sex and the opposite sex.
Rape culture: This is the way by which a general public acknowledges and normalise male sexual violence and also blames rape victims for rape.
Summary of Chapters
This research will be partitioned into five chapters. Chapter one comprises of the general introduction of the study. Chapter two will examine the literature review and the theoretical
framework adopted in this study. Chapter three will examine the components of gender- based violence in Nigeria, analyze the phenomenon of rape culture in Nigeria and analyze the response to rape in Nigeria. Chapter four will discussed the methodology used in the study. Chapter five will give a data analysis of the survey and finally, chapter five of this study will focus on Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation of the study.
