THE FUND FOR PEACE Impacts of Conflict, Violence on Women and Girls in Plateau

November 2016

Patricia Taft, Hannah Blyth, and Christina Murphy

Plateau State, located in ’s continue to reverberate in the lives of VAWG Incidents in Plateau diverse Middle Belt region, has seen women and girls. Continuing to monitor perennial conflict between farming trends and incidents of VAWG, and how Figure 3: Reported Incidents 2014-2016 communities and nomadic herdsmen in they are interrelated to other conflict recent decades. These clashes have resulted drivers, is critical to understanding the in the destruction of property and effects of violence on the lives of women livelihoods and the deaths of thousands of and girls and to better inform prevention people since 2010, including women and and response efforts. children. Much of the violence has pitted those considered to be original owners of Domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault the land and those considered to be accounted for most of the reported settlers. While these conflicts stem from incidents of violence against women and struggles over access to land, cattle grazing, girls in between January 2015 water and other key natural resources, the and September 2016. This included diversity of the Middle Belt region means domestic and sexual abuse by male family that land-based conflicts easily become members – fathers, husbands, cousins and conflated with grievances related to uncles – as well as by trusted authority ethnicity, religion and political power. figures, such as pastors and members of Heatmap shows the number of reported incidents of Violence the security forces. In two cases from Against Women & Girls in Plateau state. Hotspots include , and LGAs. (All data sources were Although the number of reported conflict January 2016, for example, it was reported used —including NSRP, ACLED and Nigeria Watch)— format- fatalities in Plateau state has fallen in 2016, that an Evangelist in Jos raped an underage ted for the online platform. the effects of displacement and violence girl who was sent to him for prayers,

Examining the Patterns and Trends in Violence Affecting Women and Girls in Plateau State, Nigeria

Grazing access and land-related conflict dents such as forced marriages, sexual as- — particularly conflict over grazing access between farmers and herders has remained sault by security forces deployed to the and land rights — impacts those most vul- a source of violence and fatalities in Plateau area, and displacement and destruction of nerable within communities. It also high- state. Amidst this backdrop of insecurity, livelihoods have all had significant impacts lights the ongoing sexual violence and do- women and girls often become targets of on women and girls, particularly in the Local mestic abuse which women and girls regu- the violence and unrest, which is supported Government Areas (LGAs) of Riyom and Jos larly face in Plateau state, and provide rec- by incident reports from the NSRP Plateau North/South. This report examines the ommendation for stronger monitoring and Observatory over the past two years. Inci- different ways in which communal violence prevention measures.

Data used in this Brief is based on incidents reported using Partners for Peace (P4P) Map, which integrates grates and formats conflict data from different sources including NSRP, Nigeria Watch and ACLED. The platform is supported by Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) www.pindfoundation.org INTER - COMMUNAL VIOLE NCE IN PLATEAU STATE : IMPACTS ON WOMEN & GIRLS

threatening that if they informed anyone, Overall Levels of Violence in Plateau State their prayers would not be effective. Figure 2: Reported Incidents and Fatalities 2015-2016

400 A number of reported rapes, particularly of underage girls, were perpetrated by 350 Incidents Fatalities neighbors or local shopkeepers. For 300 example, in May 2016 it was reported that a 16-year old girl was raped by a shopkeeper 250 when she went to the market to repair two 200 plastic chairs for her family. In another case reported in January 2016, an 8-year old girl 150 was raped by the gatekeeper of a 100 neighborhood compound when she went to fetch water. Several reports of child abuse 50 also involved employers, including older 0 women, beating their maids or house girls. Jan 2012 Jul 2012 Jan 2013 Jul 2013 Jan 2014 Jul 2014 Jan 2015 Jul 2015 Jan 2016 Jul 2016 These incidents underscore the pervasive nature of the sexual and domestic violence Graph shows the number of reported incidents of violence and conflict-related fatalities, in Plateau state over the past five years. Large facing women and girls in their local spikes in violence are linked to communal conflict, including land-related violence in LGAs such as Rioym. Source: ACLED and Nigeria communities, places of worship, schools Watch data. and workplaces.

As has been noted in previous NSRP Trends in Incident Reporting of VAWG in Plateau State Observatory Platform publications, the Figure 3: Reported Incidents and Fatalities 2015-2016 abuse of trust is a recurrent theme in 50 Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) 45 data. In most of the reported cases of 40 domestic abuse and sexual assault, the 35 perpetrator is known to the victim, whether 30 as a family member, authority figure or acquaintance in the community. The 25 personal nature of these incidents may 20 decrease reporting rates and reinforce the 15 culture of silence. 10 5 These are just a few examples of the 283 0 incidents of violence against women and Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan Mar May Jul Sep girls reported on the platform in Plateau 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 state since January 2015, from NSRP and Graph shows the number of reported incidents of Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG), using all sources—including NSRP, ACLED other sources. The highest number of and Nigeria Watch— formatted for the online platform. Each data source has different data collection methods, and therefore should reports in Plateau state came from Local not be seen as an indication of overall patterns and trends across time and space of violence. As this brief shows, violence affecting Government Areas (LGAs) and Jos women and girls often goes unreported. The graph does however show more incidents reported during months in Plateau state with heightened conflict risk notably during inter-communal violence in 2015 and 2016 related to land issues. South, followed by Riyom and Barkin Ladi.

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Impacts of Land-Related Violence and Insecurity on Women and Girls

With its rich arable land, Plateau’s dominant 2012, more than three quarters of the Inter-Communal Violence: occupations are subsistence farming and incidents related to land conflicts violence VAWG Key Incidents in 2015 grazing. However, the state has also been stemming from grazing access. The largest hotbed for violence over land competition in number of these fatalities came from the  February – Clashes between herds- recent years, particularly between herders LGAs of Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom. men and a farming community led to and farmers in rural areas. Communal the death of a man and his wife in Barkin Ladi conflict has also been exacerbated by Ongoing land-related conflict and inter- political jockeying and ethnic tensions – with communal violence in the region has also  March – At least two women were killed in reprisal attacks following the the state home to over 40 different ethno- had long-term impacts on women and girls arrest of armed youths linguistic groups. through displacement and subsequent economic disempowerment. In many of the  March – At least six people, including women and children, were killed in As outlined in Figure 4, a majority of reported cases, women who were widowed two separate attacks in Barkin Ladi incidents related to violence perpetrated and displaced due to conflict in Plateau against women and girls reported since state become the sole providers for their  May - Multiple women were killed while harvesting crops in Riyom dur- 2012 through the NSRP Observatory and children and thus face extreme financial ing clashes between herdsmen and other sources on the online platform, have pressures which increase their vulnerability local farmers related to domestic abuse, rape and sexual to abuse. They are also often the first  June – A woman and her daughter assault. victims of attacks between herdsmen and were killed in an attack related to land farming communities, along with their and cattle issues However, women and girls have also been young children. Displacement due to land  July – Three women were killed in an directly impacted by broader insecurity in and inter-communal conflict compounds attack on a farming community in the region. As outlined in Figure 5, of the existing inequalities in education, Barkin Ladi reported fatal incidents involving women employment and earnings facing women in  July - multiple women and children and girls from Nigeria Watch data since Nigeria. were killed during violence in Riyom and Barkin Ladi. Security Forces Reported VAWG Incidents by Type Reported VAWG Fatalities turned the local health clinic into an Figure 4: Reported Incidents 2012-2016 Figure 5: Reported Incidents 2012-2016 operational base.

According to the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey,1 38% of women aged 15- 49 in Nigeria have received no formal education (compared to 21% of men). Rural women are at a further disadvantage; more Unspecified Domestic violence, Land conflict/ Land conflict/ collective than half have no education, compared with sexual assault & Inter-communal Inter-communal violence; 14% a slightly higher 16% of urban women. other interpersonal violence; 12% violence; 82% incidents; 84% Many women are also less likely to be Unspecified Domestic violence, collective sexual assault & employed than their husbands, and for violence; 4% other interpersonal those women who are employed, the incidents; 4% majority earn significantly less than their husbands. In Plateau state, only 25% of employed women reported that they are mainly in control of the cash they earn, and Chart shows the types of violence reported during January 2012 Chart shows the reported fatalities involving women and girls by 83% of employed women reported earning to September 2016, with more than three quarters of the incident type from January 2012 to September 2016. Unlike incidents relating to inter-personal violence, sexual assault and Figure 4, majority of VAWG conflict incidents involving fatalities less than their husbands. domestic abuse. The next most salient category within the data were related to land conflict and inter-communal violence. This was land conflict and inter-communal violence. All data sources highlights the pervasive impact of collective violence on women were used —including NSRP, ACLED and Nigeria Watch— and girls. Nigeria Watch data was used — formatted for the Following the death of a husband, married formatted for the online platform. online platform. women may find themselves in a precarious

1. URL located at: http://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/DM52/DM52.pdf

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financial situation if they lose control of Displacement and Poverty: VAWG Key Incidents family assets, particularly land. In Plateau State, only 5% of women are the sole  May 2015: A 15-year old girl and her burned down in Barkin Ladi. She moved to Jos to find work and report- owners of a house and 11% of women own family escaped after their house was ed that men asked her to exchange land (compared to 37% and 46% of men, burnt down. Her sister was raped by security personnel. sex for food. respectively). Several women reported  May 2016: A widow was stranded being cut off from property and monetary  May 2015: A 32-year old woman was without accommodation in Jos after assistance following the death of their forced to give birth in an IDP camp, after her house was burnt down dur- being displaced by conflict in Barkin husband, with relatives citing customary law ing land conflict. She has 7 children Ladi. or community tradition. and is unable to provide for them.  May 2016: A 15-year old girl did not

 May 2015: A woman lost her house have money to pay for food or school This economic disenfranchisement makes to during violence in Riyom, her 8 chil- fees after being displaced by land women vulnerable to sexual and economic dren are suffering with no food to eat conflict. predation and often leaves them at the or accommodation.  May 2016: A 13-year old girl who was mercy of extended family members. Based  May 2015: An 80-year old woman was displaced by conflict ended up work- on data from NSRP, multiple women who displaced from her home that was ing without food or pay. had been displaced reported in early 2016 burnt down in suspected inter-  September 2016: A 10 -year old girl that they had been approached by men communal land conflict in Riyom. She whose family had been displaced dur- requesting sex in return for food. In one lamented that she had never lacked ing inter-communal violence in Riyom, case reported in March 2015, a woman was clothes and food before but now she was brought to police by in Jos. Her abandoned by her husband; when she has to depend on other people. female guardian abused her through sought the help of her father-in-law, she  April 2016: A woman and her family starvation, flogging and neglect, which resulted in serious physical injuries. was sexually assaulted by him. were displaced after their house was

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Conclusion Recommendations

The data collected in Plateau state over the Plateau state remains vulnerable to Connect with local organizations past 18 months highlight the long-term heightened conflict risk, with regular working on issues of women’s empow- impacts of land and inter-communal conflict 1 pockets of violence related to land and 3 erment, particularly in the areas of on women and girls. Beyond being victims communal violence. Peace actors must con- employment and education, to encourage of direct physical attacks, including sexual tinue to monitor hotspots closely – particu- reporting and better coordinate efforts to abuse, during land and intercommunal con- larly communities around Northern LGAs mitigate the vulnerability of women follow- flict, the effects of displacement and in- such as Riyom and Barkin Ladi – and imple- ing displacement from communal and land- creased economic and social vulnerabilities ment interventions to reduce the risk vio- related conflict. continue to impact the daily lives of women lence. Special attention should be paid to and girls, long after violence has subsided. women and children in analysis and plan- Work closely with OBSTEC members ning, ensuring their inclusion. to plan targeted awareness raising Prevention efforts should particularly con- 4 among their constituencies in Plateau sider the economic and social vulnerabilities To keep reporting levels steady, the state about how the current environment of of women and girls following displacement, capacity of local NGOS, Peace Clubs, insecurity is specifically impacting women and coordinate with local organizations 2 and other community organizations and girls, and how this can be addressed. working to provide social services and em- must be strengthened through regular OBSTEC members are in key positions to power women. In Plateau, which relies training on the reporting of incidents to help not only impact awareness, but also help heavily on farming and agriculture for liveli- to break the culture of silence. The impacts catalyze response. hoods, the knock-on effects for women who of conflict on women are often not known are uprooted from their land or denied ac- or are recorded in a context-specific way Work with national and international cess to their farms following the deaths of a that does not facilitate easy follow-up or organizations to help implement state- husband or male family member is particu- planning for prevention. This is where the 5 wide strategic messaging and commu- larly devastating. As in other states, educa- NSRP Observatories and Observatory Steer- nications campaigns about how the environ- tion and awareness-raising on recognizing ing Committees (OBSTECs) can and do play ment of insecurity in Plateau state is impact- and reporting VAWG incidents is needed at a key role. In training and encouraging prop- ing women and girls. This can and should the community level to combat the culture er reporting, by survivors as well as wider include engagement and outreach with local of silence in families and communities. It community members who may witness media outlets and courtesy calls by OBSTEC should also focus specifically on issues that these incidents of violence, data can be members and others who are familiar with effect women and girls in agricultural com- effectively used to support research and the issue to community leaders. These cour- munities who have been abused and dis- planning for prevention. tesy visits should include traditional rulers, placed during inter-communal land conflicts hospitals, schools, courts, and public securi- and often lose their livelihoods as a direct ty forces involved in responding to land- result of land conflicts. related conflict.

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