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Summary
The article exposes how psychological femicide, early marriage, and gender-based violence, fueled by conflict, culture, and systemic neglect, continue to endanger and traumatize girls and women in Borno, Nigeria.
In the quiet streets of Jiddari Galtimari, Borno, a young heart has been shattered, a life forever changed. Aisha Ahmed, a gentle soul with dreams and hopes, was viciously attacked by the one person she trusted most -her own stepmother. The scorching hot frying oil, poured with unspeakable cruelty, has left Aisha’s face disfigured, her spirit bruised, and her future uncertain. This horrific incident is a chilling reminder of the darkness that lurks within the walls of domestic violence, threatening to consume the vulnerable and the innocent. Aisha’s story is a desperate cry for help, a plea for protection and support in the face of unimaginable trauma.
The swift action of the Jiddari Youth, who sprang into action to apprehend the perpetrator, has given Aisha a glimmer of hope. And her biological mother, who stands steadfastly by her side, is a beacon of love and strength in these darkest of hours. Yet, Aisha’s road to recovery is fraught with uncertainty, as the weight of medical bills and medication costs threatens to overwhelm her family.
Amina Muhammad, GBV in-charge at Abbaganaram Primary Health Care, reveals a shocking pattern of abuse, as Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) ravages communities, leaving devastation in its wake. Despite the true extent of the crisis remaining shrouded in secrecy, an investigation uncovers a disturbing trend: cases emerge with alarming regularity, sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly, as victims struggle to break free from the cycle of violence. Emotional abuse and intimate partner violence are revealed to be the most prevalent forms of SGBV, with perpetrators wielding psychological manipulation and coercive control like a sniper’s rifle, picking off victims’ self-esteem and autonomy one shot at a time. Sexual violence follows closely, a brutal manifestation of power and dominance that leaves victims reeling in its aftermath.
Conflict and culture Fuel SGBV in Borno
Nigeria is one of the countries grappling with Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, especially in the north. The rise of psychological violence has altered the femicide landscape, inflicting profound internal damage on numerous women. Particularly in Borno, Northeast Nigeria, the Boko Haram crisis has severely affected women’s rights and contributed to an increase in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the region. Between 2011 and 2017, women in Boko Haram’s territory were used as weapons, with many being forced into committing suicide in public spaces. According to reports, between January and July 2017, Boko Haram used over 145 girls in suicide bombing missions.
After Boko Haram used women as suicide bombers, some women and girls were subjected to rape and sexual slavery. In 2014, the group abducted over 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, with reports indicating that some were forcibly married to Boko Haram terrorists, while others were sexually abused and harassed. This brutal reality has significantly contributed to the decline of girl child education, with recent reports of the approximately 700,000 out-of-school children in Borno State, about 60 per cent of whom are girls.
Even before Boko Haram emerged, cultural norms have hindered girl child education continuously in Borno, denying girls access to education. Traditional preferences for boys over girls led to educational disparities, with boys often prioritised for education while girls were expected to focus on domestic chores and child-rearing.
A shocking report from Save the Children International reveals the heartbreaking reality faced by girls in Nigeria. In Borno, 89.13% of girls are married off before 18, with 59% having no education and 42% having only some primary school education. Alarmingly, 100% of these women had no secondary school education before marriage, ending their formal education and limiting their future.
The scourge of early marriage ravages the North, particularly Borno
The situation is dire in the North, where 78% of girls marry before 18. Child marriage is most prevalent in the North West and North East, where 48% of girls are married by 15 and 78% by 18, shattering their dreams and denying them education and a childhood free from exploitation, as highlighted in the “State of the Nigerian Girl Report”.
Despite the efforts of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and organizations like UNICEF, Save the Children International and others, a recent report reveals that approximately 700,000 children are still out of school, with about 60% being girls.
Voices from the Frontline: A Death Sentence for Nigeria’s Girls
Dr Ali Zubairu, a guardian of women’s health, bears witness to the devastation. As a senior registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology, he knows the horrors that await these young girls.
“Early marriage is a death sentence,” he says, his voice heavy with sorrow. “It leads to early pregnancy, and with it, a lifetime of risks, complications, and emotional trauma.” The faces behind these rape statistics are often just children themselves, aged between 5 and 15, with many as young as 10-14, thrust into motherhood far too soon. Their tiny bodies, fragile minds, and unformed emotions are ill-equipped to handle the trauma that lies ahead. Dr. Zubairu’s words are a haunting refrain: “These girls are being robbed of their childhood, their potential, and their future.”
The consequences are dire: depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and a haunting sense of desperation that can lead to self-harm and even suicidal thoughts. The reproductive health implications are equally alarming – infertility, unwanted pregnancies, and STIs, all taking a devastating toll on these young lives.
The issue of early marriage and its consequences is a contributor to psychological femicide, a silent killer of girls’ mental health and potential. It’s a slow erasure of their identity, dreams, and aspirations, leaving them trapped in a cycle of trauma, shame, and silence. This can lead to severe mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, ultimately affecting their self-esteem, confidence, and ability to make decisions. The societal pressure and expectations can be overwhelming, making it difficult for them to escape the cycle of abuse.
Confronting the Dark Forces Fueling Girl Child Abuse
In this regard, the scourge of early marriage, limited girl child education, and emotional abuse in Borno State is a ticking time bomb, threatening the lives and futures of countless girls. My investigation reveals a complex web of cultural, economic, and societal factors that perpetuate this abuse. It’s time to demand change, support survivors, and empower girls to claim their rights.
