A license to marriage - not to abuse: an analysis and discussion of government and local NGOs initiatives to combat wife abuse in Nigeria
Author
Knudsen, Jeannette Bach
Term
4. term
Publication year
2009
Abstract
This thesis examines how the Nigerian government and local women’s rights NGOs address wife abuse—a widespread and often socially tolerated form of violence against women—and assesses the extent to which these responses reflect a Gender and Development (GAD) approach. Drawing on fieldwork in Nigeria in 2009, the study uses a qualitative, triangulated design that combines interviews with relevant government bodies and women’s organizations, direct observations, and analysis of secondary sources. The findings indicate a marked lack of political will and limited action from government institutions, while most concrete initiatives are led by NGOs. Although NGO-led efforts show potential, they are largely short-term, small-scale, and geographically concentrated, limiting their capacity to shift entrenched gender roles and advance gender equality nationwide. The thesis interprets these patterns through a GAD lens and underscores the need for broader, more sustained, and coordinated responses.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan Nigerias regering og lokale kvinders rettighedsorganisationer håndterer hustruvold, en udbredt og ofte socialt tolereret form for vold mod kvinder, og vurderer i hvilket omfang indsatserne afspejler en Gender and Development (GAD)-tilgang. Med udgangspunkt i feltarbejde i Nigeria i 2009 anvendes et kvalitativt, trianguleret design, der kombinerer interviews med relevante statslige aktører og kvindeorganisationer, observationer og analyse af sekundære kilder. Resultaterne peger på en markant mangel på politisk vilje og begrænset handling fra myndighedernes side, mens de fleste konkrete tiltag drives af ngo’er. Selvom ngo-baserede indsatser rummer potentiale, er de overvejende kortsigtede, små i omfang og geografisk koncentrerede, hvilket begrænser deres mulighed for at ændre fastlåste kønsroller og fremme ligestilling på tværs af landet. Afhandlingen belyser disse mønstre gennem et GAD-perspektiv og peger på behovet for bredere, mere vedvarende og koordinerede indsatser.
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