An Appraisal of NGOs On Domestic and Sexual Violence in Nigeria a Study of WARIF

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1.1 Background Of The Study

Domestic Violence can be traced back to the period of Ancient Civilization, a period where women and children were seen as property, which had no rights and could be disposed at any point in time (Fader, 2018). Before the mid-1800s most legal systems saw wife-beating as an exercise of a husband’s authority over his wife, and his actions were justified by the law. For example, the Hammurabi code of 1800bc (an ancient Babylonian law code), had decrees that wives must submit to their husbands and husbands were given the right to punish their wives if she spent too much money and if she was caught cheating. The Hammurabi code gave room for husbands to leave the marriage if they were no longer interested and they could sell their wives and children to slavery to pay their debts. The law did not just give husbands authority over their wives but over their children also; if a child stole from his father his arm was to be cut off. The punishments stated in this code were harsh, violent and most time out of proportion to the offense committed. The laws of the Hammurabi code were state sanctions that allowed private discipline without any intervention from the legal authorities. The code shows that domestic violence was not just practiced then, it was encouraged.

Domestic violence is recorded to have also been a norm in Ancient Rome, although they are remembered (recorded) to have introduced civilization to the cruelty and violence of the middle ages, Domestic violence was still occurring in their midst. High-ranked Romans often abused their power by acting like tyrants over their minors. Ancient Roman family life was governed by a code of Paterfamilias. In this code (just like the Hammurabi code), men had unquestioned authority over their families. They were allowed to beat, abuse, kill or sell their family members. The abuse did not just stop at women alone; babies were often abandoned to die if the man did not consent to the baby to be raised. The code was a bit more civilized than the Hammurabi code; but it codified the same brutal, violent and proprietary attitudes. There was so much violence prescribed for a man to keep his family in these ancient societies, and this was motivated by the level of violence available in the general society then. Domestic violence was an equally prevalent issue in Ancient Europe, there was a level of social and legal acceptance to domestic violence demonstrated then than presently in 2019. During this period, women were no longer treated as slaves to men to be used as the men pleased, but they were only valued as housekeepers and breeders. During the middle ages in European communities, the punishment for women’s transgressions was to burn them. Women were often brutalized for infertility or inability to produce the right sex of children (giving birth to a female child); they were brutalized for adultery, nagging and even for having miscarriages.

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Domestic violence did not just occur in the western part of the world, it happened in every part of the world and is still happening, Africa inclusive. Historically, in Africa the idea of family and kinship in many African political systems is very important, the family structures vary as well; the structure is rather complex involving Husband(s), wife (or wives), children, extended family members, maids, etc. It is no shock that families have often been the site of violent coercion (Burrill, 2010). An African family is often overpopulated, giving room for domestic and sexual abuse.

Domestic violence in Nigeria is a problem as in many parts of Africa. There is a deep cultural belief in Nigeria that it is socially acceptable to hit a woman as a means of discipline. In Nigerian society just like the ancient civilization and roman society, men were seen to have superior power over women; they had the right to beat their wives as a means of correction. In ancient Nigeria and even in modern times, women battered by their husbands chose not to report or tell anyone about it because most times they are ashamed, sometimes they blame themselves and many times they do not want to be turned down by the legal arm. A national demographic and health survey stated that close to a third of all of the Nigerian women have experienced physical violence, which encompasses battery, marital rape and murder, at the hands of their intimate partners. In the 21st century, there has been a movement pushing for the end of the belief that domestic violence is a private issue. As stated earlier domestic violence is a problem that knows no gender/sex, it happens to men as well as women but globally the victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly women and they tend to experience more severe forms of violence. Research has established that there is a direct and significant correlation between a country’s level of gender equality and rates of domestic violence, countries with less gender equality experience higher level of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is among the most underreported crimes worldwide for both men and women. Due to social stigmas regarding male victimization, men who are victims of domestic violence face an increased likelihood of being overlooked by healthcare providers. Domestic violence is an issue that has several forms; Sexual violence, physical violence, emotional violence, economic violence, etc. This research work will dwell more on domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State, Nigeria and the activities of WARIF to combat Domestic and sexual violence.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

In an ideal society, the family should be a safe haven for people, husbands are expected to love their wives and treat them with care; children should be brought up in a loving environment, free from any form of harm. However reverse is the case, there are incidences of domestic and sexual violence perpetrated by members of the family; husbands beating and sexually assaulting their wives, fathers defiling their daughters, aunties assaulting their nephews, and many more. The family is not as safe as it should be and used to be. For instance, Nigerian movie star Olayode Juliana stated in her book “Rebirth” how she was sexually assaulted as a child by an “UNCLE” in the confines of her home; another case is that of airwoman Solape Oladipupo who was killed by her lover airman Kalu Bernard in march 2017 because he suspected she was having an affair with another man, a similar case is that of Mr Adejo who constantly beat his wife Maureen and eventually killed her by forcing a local insecticide “otapiapia” down her throat( Toluwani,2017)

Domestic and sexual violence is a troubling societal issue during this contemporary time. Available literature and observation point to the fact that domestic and sexual violence seems to be on the rise in Nigeria and the government does very little about it as opposed to what they should actually be doing. Victims of domestic and sexual violence should be able to report to the appropriate legal bodies and be sure that their cases will be attended to. The major issue is these bodies (police, etc) are not trained or enlightened on how to respond in cases where complaints of domestic or sexual violence are brought to them and there is no national legislation against domestic and sexual violence in Nigeria; rather there is a prohibition against domestic violence law in Lagos state, that was enacted in 2007 as a response to the rising level of violence against women in Lagos state. The Nigerian criminal code and penal code also make provisions for punishment for assaults. Certain individuals have noticed this issue and some Non- Governmental Organizations have been created to this effect. These NGOs have been created as a safe haven for victims to be able to report their cases; these NGOs respond to the needs of domestic and sexual violence victims by providing legal, medical, emergency assistance, Counseling and psycho social support. Domestic violence is an issue that keeps reoccurring and a major issue is that the victims’ voices are yet to be heard; many victims do not know that there are organizations in place to help them. The purpose of this research is to examine NGOs that deal with domestic and sexual violence issues, study their roles and challenges and proffer solutions to these challenges.

1.3 Objective Of The Study

The main objective of the study is to examine the role of the Women At Risk International Foundation (an NGO) on domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are to:

  1. determine the causes of domestic and sexual violence in Nigeria
  2. assess the roles and challenges of NGOs in combating domestic and sexual violence
  3. investigate the specific intervention programs of WARIF and the community’s perception on these programs
  4. examine how the government works with NGOs to curb domestic and sexual violence
  5. proffer mechanisms to mitigate the rate of domestic and sexual violence in Nigeria

1.4 Research Questions

  1. What are the causes of domestic and sexual violence in Nigeria?
  2. What are the roles and challenges of NGOs in combating domestic and sexual violence?
  3. Which specific intervention programs does WARIF have and how does the community perceive the impact of these programs?
  4. How does the government assist NGOs to curb domestic and sexual violence?
  5. In what ways can the rate of domestic and sexual violence be mitigated in Nigeria?

1.5 Significance Of The Study

This project will give a basic understanding of the role NGOs play in trying to reduce the level or to end entirely Domestic and Sexual Violence in Nigerian society. This research work will bring to light the major causes of domestic violence, its effects on both male and female genders, solutions to domestic and sexual violence and the role the government plays in curbing it. This study will enable policymakers and researchers see the need for vigorous pursuit of the goal of achieving domestic violence prevention and intervention in Nigeria.Also, findings derived from this research will aid the Nigerian government knows the importance of NGOs and also serve as a means of enlightenment to victims of domestic and sexual violence on alternative procedures to take while seeking justice. Finally, the research work will add to the existing body of knowledge in the area of NGOs and Domestic violence. The findings will be disseminated through conferences, learned journals, public libraries, local heads within the environment of study and to the organization been examined.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

This research is looking at NGOs that deal with domestic and sexual violence which is an abuse of the fundamental human right of the victim (right to physical integrity, right to privacy, right to physical and mental well being, etc.) and an abuse of power in a relationship displayed by assertions of verbal, physical, emotional and psychological control. The study will be carried out in Nigeria and the environment of study is Lagos state, the particular NGO of study is located in the Yaba local council development area of Lagos State. The timeline of this study is 2016-2020 because the NGO of the study was founded in 2016 and this project will examine the activities of the NGO from the date of inception. This study will look specifically at WARIF because it is one of the few NGOs in Lagos, Nigeria; that have actually made an impact on society with its programs to reduce or end entirely domestic and sexual violence.

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