By Raliat Abdulkadir
ABUJA – Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in rural Nigeria, driven by unequal power relations, rigid gender norms, and deeply rooted cultural practices. While women and girls are disproportionately affected, men and boys can also be victims of gender-related harm.
GBV occurs in both private and public spaces—ranging from homes and schools to workplaces and community gatherings. The major forms include physical, sexual, emotional, economic violence, and harmful traditional practices, all of which hinder social progress and peacebuilding in rural areas.
Forms of Gender-Based Violence
Physical violence involves acts that cause bodily harm through unlawful force, including assault, confinement, and, in severe cases, manslaughter. Sexual violence encompasses any non-consensual sexual act such as rape or sexual assault, while emotional or psychological violence involves coercion, defamation, threats, or verbal abuse that cause mental distress.
Harmful Traditional Practices and Gender Roles
In many rural communities, entrenched traditions continue to reinforce gender inequality. Women are often judged by their ability to bear sons, denied leadership roles, and restricted to domestic responsibilities. Practices such as **early and child marriage** persist, limiting girls’ access to education and career opportunities.
Decision-making within households often rests solely with men, guided by cultural or religious norms that perpetuate women’s dependency. These practices not only restrict women’s autonomy but also undermine community development.
– Economic Inequality as a Form of Violence
Economic violence manifests through systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in education, employment, and leadership. Gender stereotypes dictate career paths—men in engineering and politics, women in teaching and caregiving—thereby reinforcing income gaps.
Women are frequently underpaid, overlooked for promotions, and underrepresented in decision-making positions. Moreover, girls are often withdrawn from school earlier than boys, diminishing their chances of economic independence and perpetuating cycles of poverty and subordination.
Strategies to Address Gender-Based Violence
Combating GBV in rural Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach. Key strategies include:
– Education and Retention of Girls:
Partnering with parents and communities to eliminate barriers such as school fees, long distances, and safety concerns.
– Vocational and Life Skills Training:
Equipping both boys and girls with diverse skills to reduce gender-limited career paths.
– School-Based Equality Programs:
Integrating gender equality into curricula and forming mentorship clubs that promote respect, leadership, and equal opportunity.
– Legal Enforcement: Strengthening and enforcing laws against child marriage, domestic violence, and gender discrimination.
– Grassroots-Government Collaboration: Linking rural women’s groups with local councils to influence decision-making and policy development.
-“Partnerships with NGOs: Working with women’s associations, farmers’ cooperatives, and youth groups to expand the reach of advocacy and support services.
Conclusion
Deconstructing gender-based violence in rural Nigeria demands sustained commitment through education, legal reform, economic empowerment, and cultural transformation. True change requires shifting both individual attitudes and institutional structures that perpetuate inequality.
By addressing these systemic issues, Nigeria can foster peacebuilding, social justice, and sustainable development across its rural communities.
