PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF CURBING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN NIGERIA IN THE POST COVID-19 LOCKDOWN ERA

Abstract

The COVID–19 pandemic has impacted a great deal on individuals and societies across the globe in several ways. Gender inequalities are typically worsened by crisis and the Corona virus context is no different, as women are hit harder by its effects. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with over 200 million people, has reported several cases of domestic violence affecting women, including killings and rapes within and in the post COVID-19 lockdown era. The attacks on women have sparked out widespread reactions online using social media platforms as well as street protests championed by women and civil society organizations. This scourge of rapes and other forms of domestic violence against women have further destabilized the lopsided gender balance in Nigeria with the female gender being the greatest victim. This review paper, anchored on ‘attitude and gender schemas theory’ by Huston Abbey (1991), thus examined the types, causes and or the relationship between COVID-19 lockdown era and domestic violence. It was noted that lockdown era which began on 23rdMarch2020 brought victims (women and girls) and the perpetrators of domestic violence in close proximity over a prolonged period of time with severe consequences for the victims and society. The study also revealed that weak legal framework universally as well as lack of trained law enforcement officers promotes domestic violence against women in Nigeria. The study recommended counseling, use of family courts and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to mitigate this social problem of domestic violence in Nigeria.