Combating Domestic Violence Against Women in Nigeria: The Role of Library and Information Science Professionals

The incident of domestic violence against women in Nigeria is assuming an alarming proportion to the point of being considered a public health problem. Domestic violence has several consequences on the victim including the erosion of self-esteem. It can result in psychological and emotional trauma. The seriousness of this problem and the rising occurrence in Nigeria demands that all hands must be on deck to combat it. Like their counterparts in other professional fields, library and information science professionals have a role to play in combating this menace that has several consequences. Nigerian library and information science professionals may be considered appropriate to combat this problem because of their training in information selection, organisation, dissemination and preservation. This paper examines the concept of domestic violence against women. It highlights the types of domestic violence against women in Nigeria, causes of domestic violence and its effects. The paper also proffers some roles for Nigerian library and information science professionals aimed at combating the problem. This includes a range of strategies including the provision of domestic violence information resources/help desks, awareness campaigns, participation in advocacy campaigns, and the formation of anti-domestic violence groups. They may also maximise social media by creating content focused on domestic violence. Library and information science professionals may also empower victims through the provision of adult education classes and skill acquisition that will enable victims to make decisions that are in their best interest

Prevalence and Patterns of Gender Violence: Major Variables in the Exposure to HIV/AIDS among Women in Nigeria

This study was carried out among 183 women in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. The study was designed to examine prevalence and patterns of gender violence and its relationship with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS among women. Four research questions and two hypotheses were raised. Frequency counts and percentages, Pearson’s r and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. The results show that cultural belief, traditional values and superstitions were responsible for acts of violence against women in Nigeria. Others are non-assertiveness and fear of marriage breakup. The study revealed that the most prevalent form of violence against women is physical (78%), closely followed by sexual violence (42%). Polygyny (78%) and cultural belief, traditional values and superstitions (75%) were responsible for the exposure of women to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. The first hypothesis which states that there will be a significant difference in the perception of gender violence based on type of occupation was accepted and the second which states that there is a significant relationship between prevalence of gender violence and exposure to HIV/AIDS was also accepted. To curb the incidence of gender violence, the study highlighted the need for cultural reorientation, socialization, assertiveness training and legislation. The position of this paper is that violence in all its ramifications is unacceptable, that no Nigerian woman deserves to be physically battered, deprived of sex (as punishment), forced into coitus, or made to suffer psychologically. Key Words: Gender Violence, Exposure to HIV/AIDS, Culture, polygamy and Women

The domestic limitations to the implementation of CEDAW to combat violence against women in Nigeria

https://www.ester.ee/record=b536150

Social Media and Perpetuation of Violence against Women in Nigeria: The Case of Facing Death on Facebook

In recent years, criminals who invade and negatively use the opportunities offered by the internet and the World Wide Web, seem to be removing smiles off the faces of many Nigerian women. Social media forms due to their high interactivity, are used to perpetuate violence against women. Facebook remains the most commonly used one. The case of Cynthia Osukogu provides basis for this assertion. Violence against women through facebook manifests in many forms ranging from the use of words, photographs and physical injury resulting to the death of many women. This paper examines the documented cases of violence against women through facebook using the analytical discussion method. It concludes that such violence has led to emotional, psychological and physical torture of Nigerian women. It however recommends that caution should be the watch word of women, especially young girls who access facebook and other social media forms.Keywords: Social Media, Violence against Women, Nigerian Women, Facebook

Reporting Violence against Women in Nigeria: A Content Analysis of Newswatch and Tell News Magazines (1995 - 2004)

Violence against women has become an issue of major concern the world over and the Nigerian mass media have been accused of under reporting cases of such violations of human right. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the coverage of violence against women in Newswatch and Tell newsmagazines over a ten-year period in Nigeria. To carry out this study, the researcher content-analyzed data obtained from a sample of 104 issues of two popular Nigerian newsmagazines-Newswatch and Tell which were sampled through purposive sampling method. Subsequently, violence against women was analyzed based on five criteria, viz: frequency of reports, prominence accorded such reports, depth of coverage, magnitude of report and display. Six research questions were content-analyzed using simple percentages. The result of the investigation revealed that the two leading Nigerian news magazines investigated actually reported issues on violence against women and the depth of such coverage were fair enough to generate awareness, but it was found out that the incidents were not frequently reported given the seriousness of the incidents in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended that Nigerian journalists should be more committed to social responsibility and they should report more of cases of violence against women more frequently.Key Words: Violence, Women, Mass Media, Print Media, Frequency/ Regularity, Prominenc

The Crime of Rape and Sexual Violence against Women in Nigeria: A Comparison with Other Common Law Countries

This discourse is a comprehensive look at the offence of “rape” as a legal concept, taking into consideration, the premodial, mythical and legal beliefs and meanings associated therewith. It analysed recent statutory changes and developments in this area of the law, particularly under the English common law in contradistinction from the almost static provisions of some African penal statutes relating to the offence of rape. The propelling aim was to appreciate the difficulties associated with efforts to convict persons accused of committing the offence of rape and the legality of calling in aid corroboration in amelioration of these difficulties. It was observed that, the statutory ingredients of the offence do not accommodate such a practice. It became significant that the myths and traditional beliefs surrounding the claim of an alleged victim of rape imported the burden of a rebuttal on the accused. It was observed that sympathy on the part of the courts for alleged rape victims sway their decisions in favour of such victims. This emotional consideration by the courts may have informed he demand for corroborative evidence to seal all escape routes for the accused even when not statutorily provided for. Absence of corroborative evidence may on the reverse, favour the accused though the prosecutrix may concoct one to secure conviction. It was concluded that rape cases should be determined on the basis of the dry provisions of the relevant penal statutes devoid of extraneous considerations, such as corroboration

Controlling behavior, power relations within intimate relationships and intimate partner physical and sexual violence against women in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Controlling behavior is more common and can be equally or more threatening than physical or sexual violence. This study sought to determine the role of husband/partner controlling behavior and power relations within intimate relationships in the lifetime risk of physical and sexual violence in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study used secondary data from a cross-sectional nationally-representative survey collected by face-to-face interviews from women aged 15 - 49 years in the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Utilizing a stratified two-stage cluster sample design, data was collected frrm 19 216 eligible with the DHS domestic violence module, which is based on the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the role of husband/partner controlling behavior in the risk of ever experiencing physical and sexual violence among 2877 women aged 15 - 49 years who were currently or formerly married or cohabiting with a male partner.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Women who reported controlling behavior by husband/partner had a higher likelihood of experiencing physical violence (RR = 3.04; 95% CI: 2.50 - 3.69), and women resident in rural areas and working in low status occupations had increased likelihood of experiencing physical IPV. Controlling behavior by husband/partner was associated with higher likelihood of experiencing physical violence (RR = 4.01; 95% CI: 2.54 - 6.34). In addition, women who justified wife beating and earned more than their husband/partner were at higher likelihood of experiencing physical and sexual violence. In contrast, women who had decision-making autonomy had lower likelihood of experiencing physical and sexual violence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Controlling behavior by husband/partner significantly increases the likelihood of physical and sexual IPV, thus acting as a precursor to violence. Findings emphasize the need to adopt a proactive integrated approach to controlling behavior and intimate partner violence within the society.</p

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN A SEMI-URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD

There are no published studies on impact of neighbourhood on domestic violence in Sango-Ota. This is the first study to examine formal and informal control method and the influence of family structure and socio-economic status on the occurrence of domestic violence in Sango-Ota. A closed-ended questionnaire with two open –ended questions was administered to married couples and other consenting adults at three selected neighbourhoods in Sango-Ota. A research question and one hypothesis were tested. The study tried to find out whether formal and informal control methods are effective. The research hypothesis states that there is a significant combined contribution of socio-economic conditions, family structure and years of marriage to incidences/occurrences of domestic violence in Sango-Ota. Of the 84 participants that reported cases of domestic violence, about two-thirds (61%) reported to their family members while 17 (21%) reported to close family friends. Only 4 (5%) participants had the courage to report to the law enforcement agency, in this case, the police. Risk factors identified to precipitate domestic violence are years of marriage (β= -.205; t = -2.792; p< 0.05) and the prevailing socio-economic status of the family (β= .437; t = 6.052; p< .0005). The findings show a low level reportage of cases of domestic violence. Higher socioeconomic status was found to be protective against domestic violence. Our findings also highlight the potential role of broader contextual or community-level interventions in reducing domestic violence in settings such as Sango-Ota which is a semi-urban area. We found evidence that improvements in the socioeconomic status of the participants will lead to significant reductions in the incidence of domestic violence. Keywords: Domestic Violence, Sango-Ota, Neighbourhood, Socioeconomic status, Polic

Intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women: Any end in sight?

Background: Intimate partner and sexual violence are major public health and human right concerns affecting women and girls all round the world. These problems have been part of the fabric of many societies and cultures worldwide, and have thus gone unnoticed despite the devastating physical, psychological, socio-economic and reproductive health effects they have on women, children, families and societies at large.Aim: This was to identify the extent of these problems and their devastating health effects on the childbearing women and children which would lead to enhancing the awareness.Methods: Literatures related to the topic were reviewed from different completed research works and published articles retrieved from searches of computerized databases and their findings were discussed.Findings: It was found that intimate partner and sexual violence are major problems in Nigeria because of the deadly culture of silence that the battered women have adopted over many generations, mainly because there is no safe haven for them in the country. However, on the 25th of May 2015, the Violence Against Women (Prohibition) Bill which languished for over a decade in our male-dominated Houses of National Assembly was eventually signed into law, although its title was changed to Violence Against Person (Prohibition) Act.Conclusion: This Act would bring an end to the problems if adequate awareness, monitoring and follow-up measures are created by the government and NGOs to ensure its implementation. Otherwise, it would be nothing but a merely written document as have been many acts written in the Nigerian law.Keywords: Violence, sex, consequences, reproductive health, women, intimate partne