An Examonation Of Gender- Based Violence In Africa; A Critical Analysis Of Rape Culture In Nigeria

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.