Official data from the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC shows that sexual and gender based violence are on the increase in Nigeria.
The NHRC annual reports for 2018 and 2020 showed that sexual and domestic violence wrecked many homes and lives.
The data revealed that SGBV increased in the country from 118,708 complaints received by the Commission in 2018 to 128,320 complaints for 2020 (about 10,000 complaints more than the previous).
Our correspondent also gathered that while the NHRC 2021 annual report is still in the process, sexual and domestic violence currently makes up about 50% of the entire petitions received and investigated by the Commission so far.
In 2020, the NHRC, which is constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of protecting and promoting human rights, categorized the complaints received in the year under review into several thematic areas.
Aside SBGV, other complaints by Nigerians were on: Women and Gender Rights (104,280), Child Rights (212,480), Right of the Aged (600), Judiciary/Rule of law and Access to Justice (43,280), Freedom/liberty of persons (45,280), Right to life (55,680), Freedom of Religion (2,120), Law Enforcement and Human dignity (111,880).
Other complaints received in 2020 were on Quality of Life (14,600), Labour Rights (193,960), Freedom from Discrimination (151,640), Niger Delta and Environment (8,080) and Others (215,520).
The complaints categorized as “Others,” relate to land seizure, inheritance, right to life, food and shelters.
Explaining the reasons for the rise in SGBV, the NHRC Deputy Director Public Affairs, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, said that many families had broken up as a result of the malaise.
She said the global economic downturn which resulted in people being unable to take care of their families gave rise to more violence in homes.
She further revealed that in 2020, sexual assaults grew following the restriction of movement and the isolation associated with the covid-19 lockdown.
