AN EXAMINATION OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) AS A VIOLATION OF WOMEN’S RIGHT AGAINST INHUMAN TREATMENT

Abstract

Gender-based violence is a form of discrimination that seriously inhibits women's ability to enjoy rights and freedoms based on equality with men. The paper examines gender-based violence against women, its implications against the girl child in Nigeria, and proffers ways of preventing such. The paper also discusses the prevalence of gender-based violence and its prevention, it discusses GBV as a violation of women and the girl child human rights, it discusses the prevention and response mechanisms in place for the prevention of GBV by relying on primary and secondary sources of information. The paper found that the occurrence of acts of Gender-based Violence is due largely to cultural beliefs and discriminatory laws that gives preference to the male gender over and above female children, it also found that the fact that most of the victims of GBV are reluctant to come out to report such crimes against them has further encouraged the criminal act against women. The paper concludes that there is high prevalence of gender-based violence and both men and women have been documented to be victims of this act this has greatly affected the general well-being as it affects all spheres of life. The research then explains ways of alleviating this menace and finally, one of the recommendations proffered amongst others was that effective grassroots campaign involving the use of various media such as radio, television, and posters should be used to enlighten the general public about the educational implication of gender-based violence on the girl child.