28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Commission proposed a 15-year jail term for rape ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24176]

"The Nigeria Law Reforms Commission proposed in August that rape should carry a 15-year jail term."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Reports of security forces committing rape and other forms of sexual violence on women with impunity ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22779]

"There were credible reports during the year that security forces committed rape and other forms of sexual violence on women and girls with impunity. Police officials acknowledged that rape was a problem. Amnesty International (AI) reported that women were frequently raped while in detention but did not report the abuse because of the social stigma attached to rape and the fact that police officers were the perpetrators. On December 10, the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria said it had monitored 400 police stations in 13 states for a year and found that killings, torture, extortion, and rape had become routine because the authorities shielded police officers from the law."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

The stigmatization of rape victims reduces the percentage of rapes reported and the penalties imposed for conviction ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23735]

"The law criminalizes rape and provides substantial penalties for convictions, but societal pressures and the stigma associated with being a rape victim reduced both the percentage of rapes reported and the penalties imposed for conviction. The law recognizes spousal rape as a separate offense; however, spousal rape was difficult to prove in court, and no such prosecutions were reported during the year. Rape continued to be epidemic in universities. In November 2006 AI issued a report criticizing the judicial system for a conviction rate of only 10 percent of the total number of rape prosecutions."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Sexual harassment is a problem and there is no law against it ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23738]

"Sexual harassment was a problem. There were no statutes against sexual harassment, but violent forms were adjudicated under assault statutes. The practice of demanding sexual favors in exchange for employment or university grades continued to be common. In some parts of the country, women continued to be harassed for social and religious reasons."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Although women gained better access to education over the years they face societal discrimination; in some ethnic groups marital rape is not considered a crime ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20575]

"Nigerian women face societal discrimination, although educational opportunities have eroded a number of barriers over the years. In some ethnic groups, women are denied equal rights to inherit property, and marital rape is not considered a crime."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Security forces reportedly carried out rape and other forms of sexual violence with impunity ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19500]

"There were credible reports during the year that security forces carried out rape and other forms of sexual violence on women and girls with impunity. Police officials acknowledged that rape was a problem."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Security forces reportedly carried out rape and other forms of sexual violence with impunity ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19500]

"There were credible reports during the year that security forces carried out rape and other forms of sexual violence on women and girls with impunity. Police officials acknowledged that rape was a problem."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Due to societal pressure cases of rape are often not reportet ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19928]

"The law criminalized rape and provided for substantial penalties for convictions, but societal pressures and the stigma associated with being a rape victim reduced both the percentage of rapes reported and the penalties imposed for conviction. The law recognizes spousal rape as a separate offense; however, spousal rape was difficult to prove in court, and no such prosecutions were reported during the year. Rape and sexual harassment continued to be problems. There were no statutes against sexual harassment, but violent forms were adjudicated under assault statutes. The practice of demanding sexual favors in exchange for employment or university grades continued to be common, and rape continued to be epidemic in universities. In November AI issued a report criticizing the judicial system for a conviction rate of only 10 percent of the total number of rape prosecutions."

Document(s): Open document

08.2006 - Source: Norwegian Country of Origin Information Center

Sexual harrassement of female students from teachers and lecturers common; prostitution among students increasing ("Report on Fact-finding trip to Nigeria (Abuja, Lagos and Benin City) 12-26 March 2006") [ID 18808]

"According to Modupe Omopintemi (the European Commission), sexual pressure against female students from teachers and lecturers is common, mainly in universities and colleges, but it also takes place in secondary schools. Prostitution among female students also seems to be increasing. This view finds support both in the local press and in academic research on the issue."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Women subjected to sexual violence by government agents, partners, employers ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 17600]

"Women were raped and subjected to other forms of sexual violence by government agents as well as partners, employers and others. In some communities, female genital mutilation and forced marriages were still practised. The numbers of women killed, injured, raped and beaten by their partners remained high. Despite the lack of official statistics, nearly two-thirds of women in certain groups in Lagos State, for example, were estimated to be victims of violence in the home. Discriminatory laws and practices, dismissive attitudes within the police, an inaccessible justice system and the lack of shelters for victims contributed to violence against women being widely tolerated and underreported. ”Folake” was remanded in prison after accusing her former employer of rape. Although medical examination supported her case, she was charged with slander. The material evidence of the crime, handed over to the police, was later said to have disappeared. The alleged perpetrator was not brought to justice."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Rape and sexual harassment continue to be problems ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 17413]

"Rape was against the law and convictions carried substantial penalties, but societal pressures reduced both the percentage of rapes reported and the penalties imposed for conviction. Rape and sexual harassment continued to be problems. There were no statutes against sexual harassment, but violent forms were adjudicated under assault statutes. The practice of demanding sexual favors in exchange for employment or university grades continued to be common, and rape continued to be epidemic in universities."

Document(s): Open document