The Nigerian Government should step up efforts to protect girls and women affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and facilitate their social and economic reintegration, the International Crisis Group (ICG) has urged.

In a new 34-page report titled, “Nigeria: Women and the Boko Haram Insurgency”, published on Monday, the Brussels-based conflict prevention organisation observes that Boko Haram’s kidnap of over 200 schoolgirls at Chibok in 2014 was only part of much wider gender-specific violence that has occurred through the seven years of the insurgency.

The report notes that thousands of girls and women across the region have suffered violence and abuse by the insurgents, including as sex slaves and suicide bombers. It further explains that even when rescued from the insurgents, many of the women have been stigmatised for associating with them, and barred from reintroduction into their communities.

Elaborating on the gender impacts of the conflict, the report points out that girls and women constitute the overwhelming majority of about two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North East. It further notes that many girls and women in IDP camps have reported further sexual and gender-based violence by camp officials and security personnel.

However, the report finds that while most girls and women have been victims of the conflict, some others have been actors in the insurgency, in counter-insurgency operations and in post-conflict activities. It notes that some girls and women joined Boko Haram voluntarily, others joined local vigilantes to fight the insurgents, while some are playing critical roles in relief and reconciliation efforts, including as heads of relief and peacebuilding organisations.

The report recommends 16 strategies and actions that the Federal Government, state governments in the North East and international partners should take to improve protection and rehabilitation of girls and women affected by the insurgency, and also enhance women’s contribution to restoring peace in the region.

It argues that countering Boko Haram and rebuilding a peaceful society in North East Nigeria “requires the government and its international partners to tackle gender discrimination, better protect women and girls affected by the violence and support women’s economic and social reintegration, as well as enhance their role in building sustainable peace.”

Rinaldo Depagne, director of ICG’s West Africa Project, says: “The state and civil society must improve the situation for women affected by Boko Haram, both victims and perpetrators, and ensure they play a role in rebuilding the North East.”

•Photo shows a cross section of women and children victims of Boko Haram.

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