OPINION POLL: Economic Hardship Heightening Domestic Violence In Nigeria – Survey

A recent Public Opinion poll conducted by NOIPolls Limited in partnership with Project Alert on domestic violence has revealed an increasing prevalence of domestic violence across Nigeria in recent times as reported by about 8 in 10 (78 percent) respondents.

The poll showed that domestic violence has been heightened by the economic hardship in Nigeria.

The poll measured the opinion of Nigerians on the increasing prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria and the results showed that 78 percent of Nigerians nationwide stated that there is an increasing prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria, and this view was evenly shared across gender, geo-political zones and age-groups.

Further results from the poll revealed that despite its prohibition by Section 34 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the rights of all against torture and other cold-hearted or degrading treatment; the largest proportion of the respondents (97 percent) who believe there is an increasing prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria stated that domestic violence of men against women is highly/somewhat prevalent in the Nigerian society and this is the same across all geo-political zones.

Other segments of the respondents believe that men are also at the receiving end of domestic violence in Nigerian homes, as 47 percent stated that domestic violence of women against men is also prevalent.

The North-East geopolitical zone (79 percent) make up the highest proportion of respondents with this perception, although, 53 percent have a contrary opinion stating that domestic violence of women against men is non prevalent or non-existent in the Nigerian society.

Meanwhile, 79 percent also mentioned domestic violence against children is highly prevalent, and this is the same across all geopolitical zones.

The prevalence according to the study is highest in the South-West geo-political zone (86 percent) and lowest in the South-South zone (70 percent).

More findings revealed that 54 percent of Nigerians have suffered a form of domestic violence or know someone that has experienced domestic violence in their homes with majority of the victims being women as stated by 75 percent of respondents, although ‘men’ (16 percent) and ‘children’ (9 percent) are also known to be victims of domestic violence.

Moreover findings from a similar poll conducted by NOIPolls in 2012 which revealed that 4 percent of the respondents were victims and 29 percent indicated they know victims of domestic violence, potrays an increase in the occurrence of domestic violence in Nigeria when these figures are compared to recent figures.

An evaluation of the causes of domestic violence in Nigeria revealed that Nigerians perceive ‘economic hardship’ (42 percent), ‘misunderstanding between couples’ (21 percent) and ‘impatience’ (9 percent) as the main causes of domestic violence in Nigerian homes.

Furthermore, the poll revealed that victims of domestic violence do not take any action about their cases, implying that most domestic violence cases go unreported.

These victims do not take any action mainly ‘to avoid stigmatization’ (34 percent), while in other cases it could be as a result of ignorance and illiteracy of victims (21 percent), emotional attachment to their spouses and partners (18 percent) and fear of threat or insecurity (17 percent).

While several individuals, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders have risen to fight against the prevalance of this evil in the Nigerian society, Nigerians have suggested that the fostering of mutual understanding in marriages and relationships as well as proper enlightenment on marriage amongst other suggestions will play critical roles in reducing the prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria.

Opinion Poll

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Photo: Man Cuts Off Wife’s Hand Over Alleged Infidelity In Abia

Jacob Nwachukwu, a resident of Abala in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State have allegedly cut off his wife, Nwadiokeonu Nwachukwu’s left hand over an allegation of infidelity, throwing residents into shock.

The Punch gathered that Nwachukwu who did not reside with his wife, had visited her on the said day and a quarrel ensued, during which he brought out a machete, cut off the wife’s hand and left with it to the village while neighbours rushed her to the hospital.

A source privy to the incident said the couple had lived in the city for years before the husband lost his job and had to relocate to the village, leaving his wife, a trader, in the city, the source also alleged that Nwachukwu’s intention was to kill his wife with the machete but missed the target as the woman was said to have used her hand to defend herself before her hand was severed.

The wife’s suspected lover, over which the couple quarrelled, is said to be on the run while the victim’s landlord reported the incident to a police station close to the hospital along Ogbor Hill.

The Area Commander, Aba Police Command, Mr. Peter Wabara, who confirmed the incident, said investigations into the matter had commenced, noting that the victim is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the state.

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Are Africans The Violent Race?

By Charles Anyomi

Several years ago as a young student, I watched on TV news about conflicts and violence in Africa, and while today, I have become an adult, the news about Africa has not changed much.

In June 2016, UK-based newspaper, The Guardian, published a story claiming violence has erupted again in South Sudan with dozens killed and more than 70,000 displaced in horrific attacks in an ethnic conflict over land and power between the Dinka who are South Sudan’s largest ethnic group and the Fartit who form the majority of the local population around Wau.

Indeed, there are similar stories of violence across the continent of Africa chronicled in our newspapers and published online. The international development organisation, ID21, pointed out that no less than 28 sub-Saharan African states have been at civil war since 1980. There have been over 9 million refugees and internally displaced people from conflicts in Africa. Hundreds and thousands of people have been slaughtered from a number of conflicts and civil wars.

Too often, when one wakes up in the morning to hear or watch news of violence about Africa, one begins to wonder if the black man is created the violent race.

The world has not forgotten about the Rwandan genocide; the mass slaughter of Tutsi by members of the Hutu in which an estimated 500,000- 1,000,000 Rwandans were killed, and an estimated two million were displaced and became refugees. The Darfur conflict in which about 200,000 people have been killed and as many as 2.5 million people displaced because of the conflict between the Janjaweed and a number of rebel armies. The Liberian conflict which had more than 250,000 people killed and nearly one million displaced, and the Sierra Leone civil war which left between 50,000- 300,000 killed and 2.5 million displaced internally and externally.

Right here in Ghana, we have seen conflicts over ethnicity and land ownership as well as over who has rights to assume certain chieftaincies.

Nanumba-Kokomba, Nkonya -Alavanyo, Kokomba versus Gonja, Damgomba, Nanumba, Gonja versus Vagla as well as the fighting between the Andani and Abudu clans in the Dangbon traditional area and the unrest in Bawku which has seen longstanding tensions between Mamprusis and Kusasis, are examples.
There have recently been numerous political violence and conflicts going on in Africa including Zimbabwe, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Kenya.

The pervading incidence of rising tensions when African countries are about to go to the polls to elect a president are always there. Elections in Africa are usually characterised by violence where peace and security are threatened. The fear of chaos, anarchy and bloodshed remain because the outcome of the elections could result in violence and conflict.

Sadly, the culture of violence in Africa where the youth of the continent are carelessly armed with machetes, sticks, stones, AK 47 assault rifles, automatic pump action guns and sub-machine guns and cause destruction to lives and property becomes an unending business. We are daily awakening to realities of ethno-political tensions, insecurities, barbaric killings and horror signs of anarchy on the continent.

Now, while young people elsewhere on the globe are finding paths, discovering new frontiers, making waves and blazing trails in technological advancement and building better future for themselves and their communities; disappointingly, the energy and time of the young people in Africa are channelled into fighting and shedding innocent blood. African youths are busily destroying schools which were built to educate them as well as hospitals meant to save lives.

Perhaps, the real truth may be that Africans are not created violent, but we have become violent because of poverty. Poverty is the primary cause of violence on the continent generating instability and underdevelopment.

African youths join gangs and rebel groups because of unemployment. Therefore, African governments must do more in solving the rising rate of unemployment situation on the continent by creating the enabling environment for industrialisation. Power or electricity which industries thrive upon must be made available and cheap for businesses to expand and create more jobs and employments for the teeming youths across the continent. Governments across the continent must also formulate right policies in the interest of the private sector to grow the African economies to generate jobs and employment.
African governments must be more transparent and accountable to the people.

Those serving in public offices must be accountable on how they run their yearly expenses and spend public funds. Governments must also fight and reduce corruption. We must build strong institutions and set up monitoring teams to scrutinise private and public establishments. Greedy attitudes and tendencies among our politicians and public officials must be tackled.

Education tends to reduce violence as the more time people spend in school, the less violent they are likely to become. Schools don’t just teach history and mathematics; they teach people how to live in society. In view of this truth, African governments must invest more into education and build more vocational and technical schools that will train and equip young people with skills to be self-employed after school. School enrolment right from the primary to the university must be made accessible and affordable to all. Teaching and learning materials must be made available to provide quality education.

AGAIN, FULANI HERDSMEN ATTACK OLU FALAE'S FARM

Suspected Fulani herdsmen has again invaded the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae's farm, leaving one of the members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) employed as security guards dead.

LADY SHOT IN THE MOUTH IN ALUU COMMUNITY, RIVERS STATE (GRAPHIC PHOTOS)

Before and old photo of the unnamed damsel

  

The increasing recurrence of unimaginable atrocities in Rivers state continues to prick trepidation in the hearts of many Nigerians.

 

According to reliable reports, the pretty lady in the above picture was shot last night in Aluu community in Rivers state by unknown gunmen.