Young Girls In Northeast Nigeria Say They Are Terrified By Threat Of Abuse

Adolescent girls in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Borno say they face the fear of sexual violence and trafficking, which terrified them the most, according to a recent needs assessment published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 

The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health needs assessment report involving 270 women and adolescent girls was carried out by the UN agency in Pulka and Dikwa in January. It revealed that domestic and physical violence was the most common form of violence reported by women. 

While adolescent girls reported rape, early marriage, and sexual harassment, 57 per cent of the girls who were respondents of the survey “said that they face the fear of sexual violence the most, with 12 per cent mentioning trafficking” as something that terrified them the most.

The assessment also disclosed that “the context in which rape and sexual violence happen the most is 38 per cent at home; 24 per cent while going to the latrine; 14 per cent at school; 14 per cent when going to collect firewood” and 5 per cent when accessing other services.

HumAngle has previously reported on the threat of sexual violence facing vulnerable women and girls. the abuse is aggravated by the impact of the conflict and extreme humanitarian crisis in the state.