Domestic violence against women in Nigeria: an investigation in Delta and Edo states

Adeyinka A Aderinto, University of Ibadan
Ethelbert Nwokocha, University of Ibadan

This study was conducted among middle and upper class women in mid-western part of Nigeria and probes the prevalence and cultural contexts of domestic violence. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (IDIs), case studies and survey from a sample of 754 respondents. Results indicate that although physical abuse is not very common in the two states, a sizeable proportion of women suffer from domestic violence in various manifestations including sexual, psychological and economic, and that although men subordinate women to maintain their socially constructed superiority, the latter prefer adjusting to the situation to deserting their homes. To curb the incidence of domestic violence against women, the use of formal and informal channels of education to re-orientate the people is strongly suggested. In addition, there is need to introduce policies that will genuinely protect women against violence as well as empower law enforcement agents to pay serious attention to the issue.