GENDER VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA: AN UNREMITTING ALLOTMENT OF A FRANKENSTEIN

Abstract

Gender violence in its various forms, is endemic in communities around the world, cutting across sex,
class, age, religion, tribe, ethnic groups and boundaries. The exposure to this mournful act significantly
increases girls and women’s chances of early sexual debut experiencing forced sex, engaging in
transnational sex, and non-use of condoms. The consequence of this has not only been a personal but
also a colossal national loss. Its consequences vary from high rate of morbidity and mortality, low in-
dustrial productivity, low capacity building, HIV/AIDS, among other health conditions, to an impediment
in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. While the female folks are the most visible
survivors of this Frankenstein, the male counterpart are not exempted. Not until drastic actions are
taken to curb this Frankenstein, then we might be heading into the abyss. The paper examines the
definition and nature of gender based violence, its various forms, consequences, role of the govern-
ment in curbing this Frankenstein and the effectiveness of government policies so far in Nigeria. The
work concludes by asking if none has ever been dressed by this Frankenstein.