Protecting Women and Children from Violence and Insecurity in Nigeria: The Role of the Media
Presenter Status
Graduate Student
Session
D-1
Location
Buller Room 208
Start Date
15-5-2015 9:20 AM
End Date
15-5-2015 9:45 AM
Presentation Abstract
A lot of women and children in Nigeria have experienced one form of abuse at one point or the other in their lives. On daily basis, some women are beaten, raped, kidnapped or murdered by family members and other members of the society, for instance, Boko Haram the Islamic terrorist insurgents in Nigeria. Girls and young women are forced into early marriage by parents and relatives. In some communities, the traditional practice of female genital mutilation continues to traumatize young girls and leave women with lifelong pain and damage to their health. Again, the dismissive attitudes experienced from the police, and an inaccessible justice system compound the failure of the country to protect women and children. Children are the greatest victims of insecurity in most African countries like Nigeria as they fall within the vulnerable group who require help from the government in the country. Unsuspecting children have been kidnapped, for instance the 219 Chibok girls who were abducted by members of Boko Haram sect. Some are used for rituals, and others sent to other countries as sex slaves. The media is to rise up and create awareness and ensure the protection of women and children.
Protecting Women and Children from Violence and Insecurity in Nigeria: The Role of the Media
Buller Room 208
A lot of women and children in Nigeria have experienced one form of abuse at one point or the other in their lives. On daily basis, some women are beaten, raped, kidnapped or murdered by family members and other members of the society, for instance, Boko Haram the Islamic terrorist insurgents in Nigeria. Girls and young women are forced into early marriage by parents and relatives. In some communities, the traditional practice of female genital mutilation continues to traumatize young girls and leave women with lifelong pain and damage to their health. Again, the dismissive attitudes experienced from the police, and an inaccessible justice system compound the failure of the country to protect women and children. Children are the greatest victims of insecurity in most African countries like Nigeria as they fall within the vulnerable group who require help from the government in the country. Unsuspecting children have been kidnapped, for instance the 219 Chibok girls who were abducted by members of Boko Haram sect. Some are used for rituals, and others sent to other countries as sex slaves. The media is to rise up and create awareness and ensure the protection of women and children.