SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE PROTECTION LAWS

Abstract

This article examines sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria with particular emphasis on rape, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, forced marriage and trafficking among others. This paper adopted doctrinal and empirical research method. The results show that there are serious consequences of this notorious sexual and gender-based violence particularly to the girls and women such as health implications to girls and women and in the loss of productivity as a result of injury and discrimination. It is recommended that government should provide free legal services for the victims and free medical laboratories among others for the easy testing of victims and prosecution of the perpetrators while intensive sensitization programmes should be both in print and electronic media to ensure that the awareness of sexual and gender-based violence permeates the grassroots.