Gender-Based Violence and Welfare of Women in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Divine A. Archibong, Enefiok E. Ibok & Unwana-Abasi S. Udoh

Download article picture_as_pdf

Abstract

Despite several women-related welfare packages, laws and policies formulated by the United Nations and Nigerian government, gender-based violence (GBV) in Akwa Ibom State remains a pervasive issue, affecting countless females and contributing to a cycle of trauma, poverty, and social marginalisation. The paper examined the relationship between gender-based violence and the welfare of women in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Anchored on the group theoretical model of David Braybroke and Charles Lindblom in 1963, and Judith Herman’s 1992 Trauma theory, the study utilised a descriptive and survey approach. Data were analysed via simple linear regression at a significance level of 0.05. The analysis demonstrated a substantial correlation between women’s assistance programs and gender discrimination, domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assaults, and harmful widowhood practices in Akwa Ibom State. Thus, it was concluded that Gender-Based violence is significantly influenced by the implementation of women’s welfare schemes in Akwa Ibom State. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that the Akwa Ibom State government, in pursuance of women’s welfare, should increase women’s inclusion in elective positions and be proactive in creating more funds in budgetary allocations for women’s empowerment; enact more appropriate laws and rigorously enforce same to serve as deterrent to perpetrators of domestic violence against women and the girl child.

Authors

Read more