Gender-Based Violence Among Nigeria’s Displaced Populations: A Crisis in the Shadows

The plight of forcibly displaced persons in Nigeria extends far beyond food insecurity and poor living conditions. A recent study has revealed an alarming increase in gender-based violence (GBV) among displaced populations, with young and adult females being the most vulnerable. Despite the prevalence of GBV, access to support services remains critically low, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of thousands of women and girls in displacement camps and host communities.

The study, conducted as part of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Research Project on Forced Displacement in West Africa, found that 72% of respondents identified young females as the group most at risk of GBV, while 14% of all displaced persons reported experiencing some form of gender-based violence since their displacement. These figures underscore a growing crisis that remains largely unaddressed in humanitarian response efforts.

One of the most concerning findings from the study is the severe lack of access to GBV support services. Despite the clear prevalence of violence, only 20% of refugees and 19% of IDPs have been able to access support services. Many displaced women and girls face barriers such as stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of awareness of available services, further isolating them from critical assistance.

“The low level of access to support services for GBV survivors is alarming. It suggests that many victims suffer in silence without any form of intervention or justice,” the report states. The situation is worsened by overcrowding in displacement camps, economic vulnerability, and inadequate legal protections, which heighten the risks of abuse and exploitation.

The instability caused by displacement creates a dangerous environment for women and girls. The study highlights that many displaced persons lack access to adequate security, proper housing, and legal protections, increasing their exposure to gender-based violence. Perpetrators often exploit the vulnerability of displaced women, especially those with no stable income or social networks to rely on.

Additionally, cultural and structural barriers prevent many survivors from reporting cases of GBV. The fear of stigma and social exclusion discourages women from seeking help, while weak enforcement of laws allows perpetrators to act with impunity. The breakdown of traditional community structures in displacement settings further diminishes accountability, leaving many survivors without support or justice.

The indication is that “the issue of gender-based violence in displacement settings cannot be ignored. Addressing it requires urgent policy action and a commitment to safeguarding the dignity and rights of displaced women and girls.”

With forced displacement showing no signs of slowing down in Nigeria, ensuring safe and protective environments for displaced women and girls must be a priority. Without immediate interventions, the cycle of violence and suffering among Nigeria’s displaced populations will only deepen, leaving countless survivors without hope or justice.