Implications of Violence and Insecurity on  Women and Girls in Northeast Nigeria

This paper, through desktop research, examines the Boko

Haram insurgency and counterinsurgency in Northeast

Nigeria which has led to struggles and sufferings in the

region. To a large extent, the alarming prevalence of violence

and insecurity as a result of the insurgency and

counterinsurgency in Northeast Nigeria has affected the lives

of women and girls severely. This paper emphasizes that

women and girls have not only been victims, but actors too.

Whether as victims or actors, this paper concludes on the note

that the ripple effect of the Boko Haram insurgency and

counterinsurgency causes harms that aggravate pre-existing

discriminatory gender practices that adversely affect women

and girls. To ensure security and safeguard the lives of women

and girls in Northeast Nigeria, this paper recommends that

sufficient financial resources be provided by government to

programmes that will re-integrate women and girls that have

been victims of violence back to society. In addition, it

recommends that public sensitization and awareness in local

languages on peace education should be embarked on, among

others.

Keywords: violence, insecurity, women, girls, northeast Nigeria,