Socio-Psychological Effects of Political Violence and War on Gender in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of political violence and war on gender in Nigeria with particular focus on the socio-psychological dimensions. In the last decade, Nigeria has witnessed various potholes of political violence and some kind of religious or political war that has greatly influenced the sensibility of every sane individual across the globe. The effect of this, especially on the female gender, children and the aged had been grievous and devastating. Recently, the abduction of over 200 school girls from a government college in Chibok, Borno state, Nigeria by a religious fundamentalists group gave terrorism and other criminal violence a new dimension and trend in Nigeria. It also portrays a great danger not only to Nigerian child but to all humanity residing in Nigeria. Unfortunately, instead of the situation to mitigate, it is rather worsening and the socio-psychological effect on genders can only but imagined – from loss of life, displacement of persons, mental stress amongst others. The paper calls for a holistic approach including building a synergy amongst security agencies, enhance security awareness within the society, partnering with foreign forces and using concerted dialogue to end the menace amongst others as way forward in tackling the menace of political violence and war in Nigeria.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n26p44