Volume 10, Issue 21, January - June 2024

Navigating Gender-Based Violence impacts on women farmers’ livelihoods and mitigation strategies in selected South eastern states in Nigeria

Okoroafor Charles Chiadikaobi^♦, Ohagwu Violet Amarachukwu, Nwokike Chiamaka Blessing

Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A comparative study conducted in Nigerian South-eastern states, Enugu and Anambra, delved into the far-reaching consequences of gender-based violence (GBV) on women farmers and their agricultural livelihoods. In the Enugu State study, 90% of the surveyed women were found to be aware of GBV, and they reported alarming incidents of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. This violence hindered their economic empowerment and led to profound psychological distress, including fear, anxiety, low self-esteem, and trust issues. These emotional hardships resulted in reduced income and hindered agricultural productivity, potentially driving victims to consider rural-urban migration. To counter the detrimental effects of GBV, the study recommended a multifaceted approach. Key strategies included raising awareness about GBV, providing women with skills training and capacity-building programs, and ensuring access to support systems. Enforcing policies, addressing the root causes of GBV, and fostering collaboration and partnerships were also seen as effective means to tackle this pervasive issue. The Anambra State study revealed that GBV inflicted emotional distress on women farmers, causing fear, anxiety, low self-esteem, and trust issues. On the agricultural front, GBV resulted in reduced crop yields, physical and emotional exhaustion, diminished livestock production, and lower income. To mitigate these impacts, the study proposed creating GBV awareness, offering skill acquisition programs, challenging cultural norms that perpetuate GBV, and enhancing access to support systems. Both studies highlighted the importance of empowering women economically, socially, and politically to reduce their vulnerability to GBV. This involves promoting women's participation in decision-making processes, offering opportunities for skill development, and providing accessible support systems, including counselling and legal services. Additionally, governments were encouraged to establish mechanisms for reporting GBV cases within agricultural settings to foster safer and more equitable environments for women farmers in Nigeria.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, livelihood, women, farmers, physical, sexual, empowerment

Discovery Agriculture, 2024, 10, e1da1540

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v10i21.e1da1540

Published: 08 January 2024