Young women silent on domestic violence – Survey

The 2013 NDHS is designed  to provide data for monitoring the population and health situation in Nigeria. The survey  collect data on fertility, family planning, maternal and child health amongst other issues.NDHS  which provides estimates at the national level, urban-rural areas for each of the six zones, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ( […]

The 2013 NDHS is designed  to provide data for monitoring the population and health situation in Nigeria. The survey  collect data on fertility, family planning, maternal and child health amongst other issues.
NDHS  which provides estimates at the national level, urban-rural areas for each of the six zones, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) set the tone on a number of issues as it affect women and children.
One of the areas of concern in the report is the data on domestic violence in Nigeria as the report showed that nearly 3 in 10 women have ever experienced physical violence since age 15. One in 10 women experienced physical violence in the past 12 months.
Domestic violence is a confrontation between family members that typically involves physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm. It includes emotional abuse, coercion and threat, intimidation, isolation, jealousy and blame.
Gender based violence have been acknowledged worldwide as a violation of basic human right. In Nigeria, domestic violence is widely acknowledged to be of great concern, not just from a human right perspective but also from economic and health perspective.
The report showed that 28 percent of all women in the  the survey have experienced physical violence since age 15. A breakdown of the findings further revealed that  women between 30 -39 years suffered more domestic violence closely followed by women between the ages of 20 – 24. Women in these category accounted for 59 percent of domestic violence.
The south-south had had the most cases of domestic violence with 52.2 percent of their despondence experiencing domestic violence while the north west reported the least with only 6.9 percent prevalence.
States with low prevalence include Kano 1.1, Niger 7.7,  Yobe 8.2, Zamfara 4.3, Sokoto  4.6 and Katsina 4.7 percent  respectively.
States with high domestic violence includes  Edo 75.4, Adamawa 68.8, Cross River 65.5, Akwa Ibom 59.5 and Bayelsa 56.1 percent
Whereas most perpetrators of domestic violence seem to be husbands or male partners ( 51 percent), nearly one third (32 percent) of the never married women  reported teachers as the perpetrator of physical violence at 41 percent.
A women who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “The saying ‘ this is a man’s world’ is further evidence. Immature, undisciplined men all over the world abuse and/or beat their wives, and girlfriends, but perhaps it’s worse in Nigeria because there is very little repercussion, and because it was only recently that they began to face stigma. What we can work on as Nigerians is to exert pressure on rehabilitating the police force so that they follow the anti-domestic violence law. Already, there are ads in Lagos that depict physical abusers as criminals, we can work on expanding the reach.”
On sexual violence, the North east and the south-south reported the highest figures of 15.7 and 10.3 percent respectfully.  Adamawa recorded 38.4, Taraba 28.1, Benue and Cross River 20 apiece  and Plateau 19 percent
The report showed the following states with least cases of sexual violence to include Kano 0.7, Zamfara 0.8, Osun 2.2, Niger, Kogi, Borno and Delta at 3 percent respectfully.
Experiencing violence during pregnancy not only affects the health of  the  woman but also can have serious consequences for the for her unborn child. Violence during pregnancy is highest, at six percent amongst women currently 15-24 years and 30-39 years while it is lowest among women currently 40-49 years ( four percent).
Research suggest that  physical violence in intimate relationship is often accompanied by psychological abuse and in one-third to more than a half of cases, by sexual abuse.
The report showed that women who say their husband or partner gets drunk often were more likely to report emotional, physical and sexual violence (69 percent).
A worrying aspect of the report is that 50 percent of women who experienced sexual violence never sought help and never told anyone. The report further revealed that most of these women are in the age bracket of 15-19.
Mr Mike Dugeri, a lawyer was quoted by media reports to have said  a combination of factors have led to the perpetuation of domestic violence in the society noting that,  “It is erroneous for any person to see domestic violence as a family issue. This has been the  major reason why cases of violence keep lingering in the society.”
Victims of domestic violence who are married are  often constrained to sue for judicial separation in order to save themselves from untimely death while a handful still stay on in the union, either due to family pressure or because of their children.
According to Bimbo, a mother of one who left her marriage due to domestic violence, “Abuse should not be endured in any relationship because it destroys the individuals. I suffered a lot, attempted suicide, but I found grace and strength in God.
“Today I am a much better person, but the journey has not and still is not easy, but it is 100 percent better to be a single mother than to be an abused faithful submissive wife.The society, church, and the law did not help me. They were all against me and still are.”
Despite ongoing efforts to protect women and the vulnerable population against violence, there is widespread recognition in Nigeria that much remains to be done to protect victims.
Members of the public have expressed confidence that the 2013 NDHS provides evidence that can be used in advocating for improved legislation on domestic violence, expansion of prevention efforts and improved services for women who experience domestic violence.