Background/Objectives
In Nigeria, the situation of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) mirrored worse than the global incidence. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic about 1 in every 2 Nigeria women have experienced one form of gender-based violence or the other (Hum Angle, 2022). The situation is further exacerbated by the insecurity and insurgence rampaging some parts of the country. Internally Displaced Persons struggle with awful living conditions and lack of access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and Methods
This study assessed the Wassa Internally Displaced Persons camp women and girls' knowledge level about SGBV; evaluated their perception about the concept of SGBV, understand their experience about sexual and gender-based incidences, and determine their level of awareness of the existing institutional structures (if any) to address emerging SGBV cases within the camp. This study used structured questionnaires scripted as a mobile data collection application, to collect data from respondents. The study deployed a quantitative research methodology; hence all questions were codified to suit the required analysis need and reporting.
Results
According to the need assessment survey conducted by Stand With A Girl Initiative in the camp in May 2022; 7 in 10 women do not have any knowledge about any SGBV law/policy even though 98% of the women are willing to be educated on SGBV. The survey shows that 94.79% of the people affected by SGBV in the camp are women and girls.
Conclusions
Willingness of respondents to learn more about SGBV provides the opportunity for interventions focusing on awareness creation on the issue. In view of this, Stand With A Girl Initiative paid advocacy visits to relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the FCT to ensure that these women and girls have access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services.
