The Causes and Implications of Gender-based Violence on the Socio-Economic Status and Development of Women in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, North-East Nigeria

Abstract

The research was conducted to identify drivers of gender-based violence (GBV) and its implications on the socio-economic status and advancement of women and the girl-child in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, North-East Nigeria. The metropolis was ravaged by the actions of terrorist groups. The research objective is to measure the implications of GBV on the socio-economic status and advancement of women and the girl-child. The research adopted simple random sampling procedure and 225 participants took part in the research. Data were gathered through the use of an in-depth structured questionnaire named gender-based violence and socio-economic status and advancement questionnaire (GBVSEAQ). Results indicated the major drivers of GBV to be tradition (38%), religion (20%), illiteracy (14%), gender imbalance (10%) and poverty (18%). Regarding the consequences of gender-based violence on victims and survivors, the results are as follows: social stigmatization (32%), melancholy (40%), compulsory seclusion (16%) and low self esteem (LSE) or inferiority complex (12%). On the implications of GBV on the socio-economic status and advancement of women and the girl-child, the results point to servitude/poverty (43%), economic reliance (30%), lack of access to resources (17%) and lack of access to skills acquisition (10%). The results show that the available services to victims of GBV in the study area are clinical management of rape (17%), psycho-social support (33%), case management (50%) and legal aid service (0%). The research made some recommendations which include massive sensitisation of men on the effects of GBV on women and girls, setting up a legal aid corps to provide free legal services to GBV victims and prosecution of perpetrators of GBV.