Introduction
Dignity is the essence of human life — it embodies the right of every individual to live free from fear, oppression, and degradation. In Nigeria, however, the dignity of countless women is daily eroded by abusive marriages and relationships. Domestic violence—whether physical, sexual, psychological, or economic—has become a silent epidemic, one that is often concealed by cultural expectations, religious pressure, and fear of stigma. According to a 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), nearly 30% of Nigerian women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence since age 15, and many more endure psychological or economic abuse that goes unreported.
Stories of women who suffer in silence until their lives are lost have become heartbreakingly common. For instance, the tragic death of popular gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu in 2022 sparked nationwide outrage after revelations that she had long endured spousal abuse. Her case, and many others like it, reflect a disturbing pattern: women are encouraged to “endure” for the sake of marriage and family honor, even when their lives are at risk. In such contexts, abuse is not just a private matter — it is a public crisis that robs women of their dignity, health, and sometimes their very lives.
This article argues that preserving women’s dignity requires urgent public policy solutions. It emphasizes the importance of government action, community involvement, and most importantly, the courage of women to speak up and walk away from abusive relationships before it is too late.
The Erosion of Dignity in Abusive Relationships
Abuse strips women of their humanity. Survivors often experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and loss of self-worth. In many cases, they become economically dependent on their abusers, further trapping them in cycles of violence.
Nigerian society often reinforces this cycle. Families may advise women to keep silent, endure, and protect their marriages at all costs. In many communities, divorce or separation carries stigma, while perpetrators face little accountability. Religious interpretations are sometimes misused to reinforce submission and silence. As a result, women’s dignity — defined by their autonomy, safety, and ability to live without fear — is systematically eroded.
Real-life cases highlight this. In Lagos, reports frequently emerge of women killed by their partners after years of unreported abuse. In Kaduna and Rivers State, shelters reveal stories of women abandoned by their families after seeking protection. These are not isolated cases; they are symptoms of a society that has normalized women’s suffering.
Existing Legal and Policy Frameworks in Nigeria
Nigeria has made legislative strides with the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) of 2015, which criminalizes spousal battery, harmful widowhood practices, and other forms of abuse. Yet, implementation is fragmented. Only some states have domesticated the law, leaving millions of women without legal protection. Enforcement remains weak due to poor funding, inadequate training of law enforcement officers, and social stigma.
Internationally, Nigeria has obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which uphold women’s dignity. But without robust policies to translate these commitments into practice, Nigerian women continue to fall through the cracks.
Public Policy as a Pathway to Implementation
Public policy bridges the gap between written laws and lived realities. For dignity to be restored, Nigeria must move from symbolic legislation to actionable policies that protect women, empower survivors, and punish perpetrators.
Key public policy interventions include:
1. Universal Domestication of the VAPP Act
All 36 states must adopt and enforce the Act. Federal policy can compel compliance through conditional grants and intergovernmental agreements.
2. Dedicated Domestic Violence Agencies
States should establish agencies mandated to address gender-based violence. These agencies should coordinate with ministries of justice, health, and women’s affairs to streamline survivor support.
3. Budgetary Commitment
Policies should require dedicated funding for shelters, hotlines, and legal aid. Without money allocated, laws remain ineffective. A clear budget line for survivor services in federal and state budgets is essential.
4. Specialized Courts and Police Units
Policies can establish family courts and specialized police desks to fast-track cases, protect survivors, and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted swiftly.
5. Monitoring and Accountability
Annual reports on gender-based violence, mandated by policy, should be published to hold institutions accountable and track progress.
6. Integration with Social Protection
Survivors should automatically qualify for social safety nets, including cash transfers, vocational training, and small-business grants to rebuild independent lives.
7. Mass Public Education
Public policy should include campaigns targeting harmful cultural norms. Partnerships with religious institutions, schools, and media can amplify the message that abuse is unacceptable.
Global Practices and Lessons for Nigeria
Several countries demonstrate how strong public policy transforms women’s lives.
- South Africa’s Thuthuzela Care Centres provide survivors with integrated medical, legal, and counseling services.
- Rwanda’s one-stop centres for gender-based violence survivors, embedded in public health policy, offer immediate protection and rehabilitation.
- Canada’s federally funded shelters ensure no woman is left without safe housing after leaving an abusive partner.
Nigeria can adapt these models, tailoring them to local realities while upholding the universal principle that dignity is non-negotiable.
The Role of Women: Speaking Up and Walking Out
While public policy is critical, it cannot succeed without the courage of women themselves. Women must be encouraged—and supported—to speak up, report abuse, and walk away from relationships that endanger their lives. Too many women have died in silence, believing endurance is a virtue. The tragic cases of women like Osinachi Nwachukwu remind us that silence can be deadly.
Communities, religious leaders, and families must shift their mindset: protecting women’s dignity is more important than preserving abusive marriages. Empowering women to leave such relationships is not only a personal choice but a public responsibility that saves lives.
Conclusion
Women in abusive marriages and relationships in Nigeria live in the shadows of fear, pain, and silence. Their dignity—their right to safety, freedom, and self-worth—is eroded daily by abuse and sustained by cultural and institutional neglect. Yet, this does not have to remain their reality.
Through public policy solutions, Nigeria can move from rhetoric to action: nationwide enforcement of the VAPP Act, dedicated survivor services, proper funding, cultural transformation, and integration with social protection systems. But equally important, women themselves must be empowered to speak out and walk away before abuse claims their lives.
Abuse is not a private matter; it is a national crisis that requires urgent intervention. Restoring dignity to women is not a favor—it is their fundamental right, and the Nigerian government, alongside society, has the responsibility to protect it.
References
- Federal Republic of Nigeria (2015). Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act. Abuja: Government of Nigeria.
- National Population Commission & ICF (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria.
- United Nations (1979). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
- African Union (1981). African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
- Amnesty International (2020). Nigeria: Government Failing to Protect Women from Domestic Violence.
- BBC News (2022). Osinachi Nwachukwu: Nigeria Singer’s Death Sparks Outrage over Domestic Violence.
- South African National Prosecuting Authority (2019). Thuthuzela Care Centres Progress Report.
- UN Women (2019). One-Stop Centres: Rwanda’s Integrated Response to Gender-Based Violence.
About the Author
Vivian Saleh Kpakol is a passionate advocate for social justice, with a strong focus on the rights and well-being of women and children — groups that are often overlooked or marginalized in policymaking. Her work is rooted in the belief that public policies must be intentionally designed to restore dignity, protect rights, and create equitable opportunities for vulnerable populations. She is particularly interested in how gender-sensitive and child-focused policies can transform lives, close inequality gaps, and drive sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.
Vivian holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Middlesex University, Dubai.
This article, “Vivian Saleh Kpakol Series 2 – Dignity in the Shadows: Public Policy Solutions for Gender-Based Abuse in Nigeria”, is the second in a series aimed at challenging systemic injustices and offering a roadmap for more inclusive governance.
E-mail: Kviviansalehh@yahoo.com
“Vivian Saleh Kpakol Series 2 – Dignity in the Shadows: Public Policy Solutions for Gender-Based Abuse in Nigeria” is a Guest Post on PositiveNaija.
