In the South of Nigeria which is predominantly Christian, the `Holy Bible' noted that in Ephesians 5:22-23:“Wives submit yourselves to your own husband as you do to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church” verse 24: “Now as the Church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” These particular verses have misinterpreted in different ways and is used to abuse women in every slight provocation by men. And most women have accepted these assertions of `submissiveness' as a way of life to be molested, intimidate, abused by their husbands as a sign of correction or agreement of what the scripture has stipulated. According to Bakare (2010) `in most of the Southern region, some of its doctrines and practices encourage women subordination' from all indication culture is given the status of the law and thereby influencing the provision of some of these policies related to DV negatively (Maftau, 2016). Culture in a way have deprived women equal rights as to their male counterpart, in the Southern region of Nigeria, from the south-east, south-west and south-south these tribes Igbos, Yorubas and Edos respectively, women from these states are not entitle to land inheritance either as a property or acquire for farming except with the consent of their spouse or husband. This eventually has relegated women to the background of economic dependences (Ozo-Eso, 2008).

The legal challenges also pose a threat to some of the international policies framework for the protection of the rights of women against DV, most especially in Africa and Nigeria which are not left out. Even the laws are porous to the plight of women and its sensitivities are more of gender biased and, in some instances, the women are ignorant of these constitutional privileges (Bazza, 2009). Nigeria is a country that has rectify several international Covenants and treaties such as Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), International Convention on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (ICESCR), International Convention of Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Convention of the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and also a signatory to the African Charter on Human & the Rights of Women in Africa and the African Charter on the Rights of Child (IRBC, 2007). Despite all the policies ratified to shape the situation of the constitutional framework in Nigeria as it relates to women issues, the legal laws still give room for violation of women rights domestically. Section 55(1)(d) of the Penal code, which is applicable to the Northern part of the country stipulated that:

Penal Code Act, Chapter 53, LFN (Abuja), http://www.jewngr.wordpress.com “Nothing is an offence which does not amount to infliction of grievous hurt upon any person and which is done by… (d) a husband for the purpose of correcting his wife such husband and wife being subject to any routine law or customs on which such correction is recognized as lawful”

However, thus the penal code which is porous by its nature to the plight of women contradicts the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) Section 14 (2) (b) which categorically state that The 1999 Constitution as amended 2010 (FRN) https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/ng/ng014en.pdf“the security & welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government” has finally lost its credibility to protect the women from any form of violence as regards to the penal code. Completely, we cannot rule out these incongruities instigating DV, but to some extent, this situation cannot be out of place, given the issue of grievances which typically cannot be measured pose a threat to women in the Nigerian context (Bazza, 2009).

Another instance is the Criminal Code which is applicable to the southern part of Nigeria, part 5 Chapter 25 section 360 state also Criminal Code Act, Chapter 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 http://www.nigeria-law.org/Criminal%20Code%20Act-Tables.htm“Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults a women or girl is guilty of misdemeanour and liable to imprisonment for 2 years” Sometimes the gravity of the assaults could be very severe leaving the victim is deplorable state, for instance, section 241 of the penal code explain some of the results of these assaults Dr. Rufai Muftau, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, Usumanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, An Appraisal of the Legal Rights of Women in Nigeria. Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization.“like emasculation, permanent loss of sight, hearing or speech; facial disfigurement; deprivation of any limb or joint; bone fracture or tooth dislocation, and life-endangering harm” in spite of these grievous body impairments the punishment is just 2 years, has given so much opportunity to culprits go scot free since the situation is not in any way related to homicide or face the two years jail with the damage he has inflicted on the wife. (IRBC, 2007; Muftau,2016 & Bazza, 2009).

Another important setback of the legal aspect on sexual and marital rape, section 360 of the criminal code state “Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her consent, if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threat or intimidation of any kind or by fear of har or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act or in the case of a married woman by personating her husband is guilty of an offence which is called rapes” (Nigerian Criminal Code, 1990).

A critical examination of the criminal code does not in any way related the issue to husband, rather it only indicates personating her husband, in a situation where the husband is the actual perpetrator of the eventuality what happens?, so there is a lot of lacuna in the criminal and penal codes. As a matter of fact, both codes do not condemn or identify marital rape, and this is a great challenge in proving marital rape before a competent court of jurisprudence. However, where such cases are reported in court the corroborating evidences are difficult to come by, thereby posing a challenge to the victim. Thus Section 179(5) of the Evidence Act, State as follows: - “It is not the rule of law that an accused person in a charge of rape cannot be convicted on the uncorroborated evidence of the prosecutrix. The proper direction is it is not safe to convict on the uncorroborated evidence of the prosecutrix. The court may after paying due attention to the warning. Nevertheless, convict the accused person if it is satisfied with the truth her evidence” (Bazza, 2009. P181).

On a lighter note, it is difficult to proceed with proper evidence because of unconfirmed or supporting evidence, at times it has to do with proper medical examination reports from a government hospital, whereas the victim might not have conducted the evidence test at the instances of the eventualities, due of financial capabilities. So, most times corroborated proves becomes difficult for some of the victims. And the perpetrator eventually works away freely. So far, there has not been any persecution for marital rape in Nigeria. Another reason could be the issue of stigma, most women find it difficult to come out openly to report rape cases.

2.5.3 Other Socio-Economic Factors Influencing DV Policies

There other socio-economic factors that have paved way to the inability of domestic violence policies, these factors have deprived women of the opportunity in making an informed decision in the family or public institutions. The patriarchal architecture of Nigerian society has not given women the opportunity as a key agent of change in the decision-making process. Between the era of the democratic political transition of the Nigerian state to a full fledge democratic nation in 1999 -2000 election, women participation in political positions has been less significant, however, statistically, the senates and house of representatives, women represented only 2.8 per cent and 5.8 per cent respectively. While position like Deputy Governor 5.6 per cent, state house of assembly speakers, 5.6 per cent, no opportunity for governorship positions or vice president not to mention the position of the president, these have affected the imminent issues of domestic violence policies in Nigeria hitherto (Ozo-Eson, 2013; Ibrahim & Salihu, 2004:3).

Furthermore, in 1999 there 978 seats in the House of Assembly, only 12 women were able to occupy the seats, in 2003, only 39 women out of 951 seats, in 2007 only 54 women gain the opportunity for the 990 seats. For the House of Representative election 13 women secured the seat out of 360 seats in 1999, in 2003 only 21 seats for women out of 339 seats, same in 2007 only 25 seats and for the 109 seats in Senate which is like the highest law-making apparatus of the government of Nigeria only 3 women in 1999, in 2003 only 4 seats and in 2007 only 9 seats were occupied by women makes it difficult to address the challenges of policies on women rights irrespective of equality, equity and fairness as it relates to DV (Maftau, 2016; P72).

3.1 Theoretical Framework & Analysis

3.1.1 Introduction

The study will take into consideration the aspect of certain theories in solving the issue of Domestic violence and these frameworks will be the fundamental backbone of new policies formulation that will give focus on the issue of women rights. Feminism perspective, behavioural approach and the battered women syndrome will be intertwined to bring a lasting solution to DV and women's rights issues. Considering, one of the major proponents or set back of the issue of gender equality, which is the patriarchal system, poses a challenge of subordination status of inequality between men and women which will be addressed within these studies.

3.2 Feminist Perspectives

There are different theories formulated when it comes to the issue of feminism, individual, people, government, communities, policymakers and global actors etc. These gives a different interpretation that automatically transient into an ideological framework that works in their favour's women, one begins to wonder the reality of feminism. According to a publication (2004) Material has been modified from primary source of: Source: http://www.amazoncastle.com/feminism/ecocult.shtml

Accessed: April 28, 2004.“feminism is viewed as a reality of the primary source of conflict within the feminist movement” which is not logically true. Feminism is defined as a beliefs system where men and women are treated equally both politically, economically, culturally and socially without any form of prejudices. However, this definition can be understood as `Core feminism' or `feminist theory'. Moreover, the theory, on the contrary, do subscribe to the similarities or difference between male and female or as an instrument that champion the course of women alone. Feminism, as it implies, is a series of political and social movement ideologies that stern to share similar goals and aspirations to explain, establish and achieve political, economic, personal and social-gender equality. Thus, this explains the context of feminism further; “Feminisms concern themselves with women's unfair position in society. All feminists call for changes in the social, political economic or cultural order to reduce and eventually overcome this discrimination against women” (Freedman, 2001). Looking at the Nigeria context, if these feminism principles are applied within the policy framework, DV will become a thing of the past. It was observed by Mazur (2002) that empirical feminist policy analysis is combined with the non-feminist policy will result in the feminist comparative policy. He further explain that study has discovered a new feminist government action if feminist policy with the new public policy sector is tally with the 8 sub-sectors blueprint which are `political representation', `equal employment', `reconciliation', `family law', `representative rights' (considering the rights of women), `sexuality & violence' lastly, `public service delivery' then a new feminist policy in post-industrial democracy like Nigeria will emerged tending to solve policy implementation problems. Illustration below

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Fig. 1.6 Feminism Policy Cycle Theory (Source: Mazur, 2002)

It is high time for the government of Nigeria to institute a rationalize thinking of infusing the feminism ideology into policy initiative to salvage the challenges of DV (Abrar; Lovenduski & Margetts, 2000). Wife beating in Nigeria's context is considered normal norms or situation (NPC, 2004; Ojigho, 2009). The criminal and penal code provided are cumbersome with clumsy punishment for assaults and the bureaucratic nature pose a serious threat thereof; most occasion, women don't go forward pressing charges from an honourable law court. However, for feminism to strive, in terms with the realities of impacting new innovative ideas on policy change, advocacy coalition framework needs to be institutionalized, reasons are that “an advocacy coalition framework is a pluralistic approach to policy analysis” (Abrar, Lovenduski & Margetts, 2000). Additionally, public policy is a `huge and complex array of networked actors' (Abrar, Lovenduski & Margetts, 2000). It further justified “Domestic violence policy is just such an area, complicated by the involvement of actors at different levels of the political system who have different priorities, constraints and traditions including professional values and organizational cultures. These include national and local political elites, national and local officials, regional authorities including the health services and the police, experts and activists” (Abrar, Lovenduski & Margetts, 2000).

Feminist are of the opinion that DV or marital violence are strictly based on the patriarchy nature of men domineering apparatus which is viewed from the microscopic uneven power distribution between men and women (Tenkorang, Owusu, Yeboah & Bannerman, 2013). Other scholars Eisenstein, Stetson & Mazur are of the opinion that feminist advocacy is an effective instrument for policymaking and implementation that will champion women's plight who are unable to defend their rights even when they are physically and sexually assaulted (Tenkorang, Owusu, Yeboah & Bannerman, 2013). Consequently, it is through feminist perspective that the understanding of violence in homes can be thoroughly analysed critically from a woman-centred way.

Historically, one can trace the development of women's rights movement from the mid-nineteenth to the 21^st century. In 1840 the US women's rights movement had gained enormous impetus with the `Seneca Fall Convention of 1848' and the `Declaration of Sentiments' thus this emergence craved the principle of liberty and equality in the United State independence declaration. Also, in 1840 the Women's Suffrage emerged in Britain, before these movements women have clamoured extensively against inequalities and injustice, for example, Mary Wollstonecraft wrote on `A vindication of the rights of women' and in France, so many stair up stories not different from `Olympe de Gouses' and `Theroigne de Mericourt' (Freedman, 2001). This feminist movement of the 19^th & 20^th century were move anxious in achieving equal rights for women, especially the rights for suffrage however, not only in the aspect of political rights, but also in areas of family, sexuality and work (Freedman, 2001).

Feminist Ideas and Domestic Violence

Policy Change Stefania Abrar, Joni Lovenduski and Helen Margetts, Political Studies (2000) Vol. 48, Pp 239-262“Although, a policy approach that is sensitive to ideas and belief systems and tracks the policy influence of opposing advocacy coalitions operating across the boundaries of the state will be the most useful in describing policies where feminist coalitions have endeavoured to influence public policy”. So, if feminist coalition is given due consideration it will influence the public policy that will foster the change of DV and uphold women's rights policies in Nigeria, African and the world in general.

Feminist advocacy circulate around the issue of DV policy, this ideology perhaps has instinctively recognized “traditionalist” spectrum that is antagonizing against the principle of the coalition, which if instituted at a different level of Nigeria's government will bring a lasting solution to DV but if traditionalist propensities which in the dominance of the patriarchal system does not give way, Nigeria will continue to suffer a setback (Abrar, Lovenduski & Margetts, 2000). It will eventually hinder prowess of the law enforcement agencies; it will cripple the possibility of determining gender violence entirely. The criminal justice system in Nigeria has not been sensitive to the plight of women within the traditionalist approach. Thus, it has affected the perception of police lukewarm attitude to DV cases as seen in the past. The legal aid institutions are not left out because of its poor management of female victim's cases, finally, the criminal justice system affects the rights of a victim of DV (Ojigho, 2009).

Lastly, Liberal feminism, Marxist or Socialist feminism and the Radical feminism typology explains the phenomenon behind the importance of feminist school of thought within the context of Nigeria. The liberal feminist agitates for equal rights of women, it further intensified that the rights and privileges encapsulate to women should match up with equal citizenship with men in a liberal state. Secondly, the Marxist and socialist feminist are of the opinion that gender inequality and women oppression is attributed to a capitalist system of the means of production and distribution paving way for the division of labour inconsistency within the system. This can be observed within the unequal employment opportunities or unequal salaries between men and women in Nigeria. Finally, the radical feminist observed that the patriarchy system (as we have in Nigeria) could be the result of the core system of women dominance by men. In sum, the classification of these feminist's theorist of feminism becomes the pertinent cornerstone of the modern philosophical idea of eradicating DV within the framework of DV policy implementation from a feminist perspective as discussed earlier (Freedman, 2001).

3.3 Behavioural Approach

The behavioural approach in a social and political realm must pose so many questions as to why people behave the way they do? Behavioralist tends to look different from other social scientists because of its observable behaviour and its subjectivity to empirical testing, of solving a phenomenon (Sanders, 2006). Behaviourist approach is susceptible to an empirical position of information in a modern political analysis (Wogu, 2013). WOGU, IKEDINACHI AYODELE POWER Department of Political Science and International Relations, Schools of Social Sciences, College of Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota Ogun State, Nigeria. http://www.ijern.com/journal/December-2013/35.pdf“Behaviouralism is define as an attempt to apply the method of natural sciences to human behaviour.” In analysing the situation of DV in Nigeria certain analogies begin to clamour the minds as to why government implementation policies have not put an end to this epidemic (DV) that has not yielded the expected results in curbing the menace. The leadership behaviour also poses a challenge to the lingering issue of DV, to analyse leadership behaviour as to the manner leaders examined the world, the behavioural analysis will scrutinize the act of awareness groups (Sanders, 2006; Grant & Marsh, 1977; Nownes & Lipinski, 2005). However, there is a need to critically observed the behaviour of leadership to the implementation of policy regarding gender equality and subject such notion to empirical testing thus, it will go a long way to determine the reasons for people's agitation. Furthermore, “at the international level behavioural analysis has focused on the action of nation-state (Rosenau, 1969) as well behaviour of non-state actors, such as multinational cooperation's, international terrorist groups and supranational organization like EU”(Sanders,2006;Keshanes,1984; Baldwin,1993; Plumper & Neumayer, 2006). Therefore, if the behavioural approach has a focus in this dimension is solving problems, then such an approach will need to be replicated in combating the prevalence of violence associated to women in Nigeria as Plumper and Neumayer analysed in `the effect of violent conflict on women's life expectancy rate' (Sanders, 2006).

The porous nature of the implementation process of ratified international treaties by Nigeria's government with an aim in stemming discrimination, and social inequalities among women, the adoption of Behavioural Intervention Techniques (BIT) will be a good approach, this behavioural approach have consistently work in the UK, Australia and North America as well as some part of Latin America to respond to issues of domestic violence. Nigeria government need to stand up to the occasion of learning the BIT process, https://www.bi.team/blogs/bx2018-taking-a-behavioural-approach-to-stopping-crime/“This BIT's Units have collaborated with NSW Police, Department of Justice (DoJ) to design and implement several interventions that encourage defendants to comply with the condition in their Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO)” (BIT, 2018).

This behavioural approach of the BIT has been able to solve the issue of domestic violence in Australia, Sydney, observing the challenges and then conducting fieldwork across the urban and rural settlements, which has to do with interviewing perpetrators, victims of DV, observing the court proceeding, courthouse interaction and neighbourhood. The approach gave insights to the blueprint of intervention and habitual behaviours that enable perpetrators to change their behavioural prejudices (BIT, 2018). This will strengthen the relationship between the Nigeria Justice system, the victims and perpetrators. The BIT reduces the trials period notably, because of the bureaucratic nature of judiciary system which poses a challenge to the plights of Nigerian women seeking justice within the court proceeding. The process also supports victims of DV through and efficient justice system ceteris paribus.

Another, brilliant angle to behavioural approach which is capable of changing attitudes and behaviours as observed by Almeida; Laurenco; Dessert & Ciriolo, 2016 they are of the opinion that `awareness-raising, education activities systematically attempt to change attitudes and behaviours' they further expatiate that such activities may likely limit violence against women to some extent. Firstly, invigorate victims to report an incidence of violence to appropriate authority secondly, to boost public action within the social neighbourhood of the victims in order to take pre-emptive measure. These activities lead to behavioural changes within the confinement of where such intervention have taken due considerations (Almeida; Lourenco; Dessert & Ciriolo, 2016).

Understanding the behavioural approach or science and its applicable structure to policy-making will come handy in solving the prevalence of DV in Nigeria. The old system of reliance on the panel and criminal codes of justice, have not drastically addressed the issues of DV because of the one-way approach to implementation of policy to serve different groups have not yielded the expected results rather such policy designed should targets different groups. This will have a substantial impact in preventing and combating violence against women in Nigeria. The following target groups if collated into the policy framework will harness in curbing the menace of violence: 1. Past and Prospective perpetrators of violence 2. Victims of violence 3. Victim's relatives & friends as well as bystanders, 4 practitioners & relevant professionals i.e. police, officers, relevant authorities, medical professionals, social workers, women's organization, shelters and the general public (Almeida; Lourenco; Dessert & Ciriolo, 2016).

The groups and subgroups to targeted during policy initiative that will foster behaviour change to DV

The European Union & Joint Research Centre file:///C:/Users/Morris/Documents/Research%20Methods%20impt/behavioural_sciences_violence.pdfSources: EU; JRC, 2016

The behavioural approach of the different groups may constitute relevant changes positively or negatively depending on the implementation level using the right intervention mechanism. However, it will curtail perpetrators of DV and annihilate the tendencies of inciting violence secondly, it will enable victims of DV to embark on pre-emptive measures of the cycle of violence and report to police or relevant bodies like the Nigeria Human Rights Commission (NHRC), CLEEN Foundation, Public Complaints Commission (PCC) etc. and to further seek assistance with shelters like Church-run Shelters, Ministry of Women's Affairs Shelter, Project Alert Shelters and Mirabel Sexual Assaults Referral Centre (SARC) to mention but a few (UNHCR, 2014). Interestingly, public lectures, conferences and training on DV policies from constituted authorities regarding violence against women will create an impact in ameliorating GBV. However, basic school programs and sensitization in schools will play a leading to behavioural changes and finally, rejuvenate the media precepts on gender-based violence and this will set the record straight (Almeida; Lourenco; Dessert & Ciriolo, 2016).

Observing the dimension of the negative behavioural causal effects which was stipulated earlier in the study. “Behavioural change can result to an ineffective or less efficient to combat and prevent violence against women” (Almeida; et al, 2016). The behavioural assertion by (Comte, 1974) Alfred Ayer and Carl Hampel analyse some statements about the physical and social biosphere on three key principles one of such statement blended with the earlier observation which state that “statement could be empirical, that means it could be tested against observation in order to see whether a phenomenon are true or false”(Sanders, 2006). Additionally, as observed by Waltson (1985) behaviour focus more on `actions & acts of individual' (Wogu, 2013). Crucially, to comprehend the grounds of the given phenomenon, the behaviour and the possible causes of DV and other relative behaviour need to observe and further put to empirical test. The positivity theory also explained, “that positive subjective norms toward a given behaviour strengthen positive attitudes towards the behaviour” (Almeida; et al, 2016). Coincidently, this further elaborates on the integration model of behavioural process. The analysis of the framework gives a relevant clarification of the genesis of gender violence. It means that various indicators such as (Cultures, attitudes and media revelations) would likely or probably influence behaviours through `attitudes', `norm' and `self-efficacy' and further explain why intention may not transient into behaviour that is gradually, aggressive attitude towards spouses, partners or wife. However, such individual may not have the skills or willingness to exhibit such offensive behaviour. Indeed, environmental constraints might restrict such atrocities (Almeida; Lourenco; Dessert & Ciriolo, 2016).

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Figure: 1.8 The Integration Model of Behavioural Process

3.4 The Battered Women Syndrome

Battered Women Syndrome (BWS) was first introduced in 1978 by Lenore Walker in her book `Battered Women' (Dutton, 2009; Constanzo & Krauss, 2012). BWS is a psychological trauma a victim of domestic violence passes through which could possibly result in death. It is marked with `frequent violent episodes' and `brief period of calmness'. Walker believed violent relationship takes three stages which she referred to as `cycle of abuse', which other scholars took the notion and referred to a cycle of violence (Constanzo & Kraus, 2012). The BWS was used to assist women who are endangered by persistent abuse for them to understand these stages and take pre-emptive measures. The cycle of violence within the BWS is used to explain the danger women face and how to take preventive actions or predictive notions from their perpetrators (Dutton, 2009).

The BWS is a very dangerous situation, because it can lead to what scholars and writers referred to as `learned helplessness' or `psychological paralysis' (Reuters, 2019) at this stage the victims become so depressed, defeated, passive, submissive etc. Thomas Reuter (2019) https://family.findlaw.com/domestic-violence/battered-women-s-syndrome.html“the continuing cycle of domestic violence strengthens the BWS grip” the diagram below will explain these 3 stages of cycle of violence.

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Source: (Constanzo & Krauss, 2012)

Stage 1 is explained in this diagram as the relationship tension, there is a developmental process of emotional and psychological trends. Which automatically leads to verbal, emotional or financial abuse by the perpetrators on the victim. However, during this period or stage, there is not much of violence scene but a likely tendency of such. Secondly, the stage 2, during this period several cases of violence occurs, the act of physical violence such as beating, hitting, choking, slapping, and kicking etc. while sexual violence often takes place such as rape, sexual assaults, this stage is referred as the explosion stage. Obviously, at stage 3 the calmness period of the circle of violence returns, the committer becomes more apologetic, remorseful, full of regrets, with the mindsets of never to hurt the victims again, which is referred to as the honeymoon stage (Constanzo & Krauss, 2012; Dutton, 2009; Reuters, 2019).

Furthermore, there is a tendency to have a long vacation period within the cycle of violence, before another incidence continues again, it is quite unfortunate that women as this 3 stage may assume the position of trying to impress their perpetrator by being less angry or hostile with the view of changing their behaviours or attitudes, thus, the changes might give the women some triumph thinking that `a change of heart might have change is behaviour', until the cycle of violence returns with a more aggressive and consistent abuses, according to Walker, (1979) “women in such a relationship experience learned helplessness and becomes submissive” eventually, if care is not taking there would be a long period of abuse which might lead to death in the process. However, as the cycle of violence continues and the victims resign to her faith, there is a tendency of leading to Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many scholars are of the opinion which supported the assertion that PTSD is an alternative of BWS, it explained further that cases where the victim of battering kills the batterer, explains the case of recent happenings in Nigeria where women are becoming more revulsive to their male counterpart.

https://www.voanews.com/a/nigerian-child-bride-accused-of-killing-husband-to-be-freed/2815935.htmlA woman killed her husband, 3 children and herself in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria due to consistent fighting between the women and her husband, which led to the victims poisoning her husband, the 3 kids and herself (November 3. 2018; PM news).

https://alternativeafrica.com/2018/11/03/tragedy-in-nigeria-as-woman-kills-husband-children-self/The case of a female lawyer Mrs Udeme stabbed her husband Symphorosa to death and mutilated his bodies and cut off his genitals on May 3, 2018 (PM News, Jan. 24, 2019).

https://www.voanews.com/a/nigerian-child-bride-accused-of-killing-husband-to-be-freed/2815935.htmlIn Lagos a 13 years old girl who was forced fully married to her 35 years old husband in Kano, in the Northern part of Nigeria, was said to poison her husband, saying the marriage was out her wish.

These are some of the stories of revulsive attacks by women trending in Nigeria as a result of PTSD. “PTSD is more expansive, battered-established mental disorder. The DSM-IV-TR lists (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder) published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) signifies that PTSD is the fundamental diagnosis for people suffering from the aftereffect of extreme trauma (Constanzo & Krauss, 2012). So, it is important to note that some of the issues of behavioural change in the event of women killing their intimate partners could be attributed to aftermath of extreme agonies.

However, the diagnosis of PTSD is for people especially women in the context of the study, who have “experienced, witnessed or were confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury or a threat to the physical integrity of self or other and who have responded with intense fear, helplessness or horror” (Constanzo & Krauss, 2012). A critical glance at the diagram below explains this revulsive attack due to the pro-long nature of the cycle of violence perceived by women. However, the resultant effect which is the stage of helplessness or the change of behaviour as a result of PTSD, explains the battered women syndrome and its psychological trauma. The diagram below shows the relationship between BWS, the cycle of violence theory and PTSD.

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4.1 Data Analysis & Results

4.1.1 Introduction of Database and Sample Size

The Research is to examine the immediate factors responsible for the uprising trends of DV across the 6 geopolitical zones, which represent the Northern and Southern region of Nigeria. The Nigeria Demographic Data Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 is used to analyse the aspect of DV module. This NDHS database collects data on fertility, family planning, Maternal & Child Health and Domestic violence etc.

The study will analyse one critical aspect of DV which is the Spouse violence, the research will scrutinize married and intimate partners within the domestic homes as the study implies, thus these women are within the age range of 15 - 49, who have experienced physical, sexual, Emotional or both of the violence from their husbands or partners. The justification of capturing any of the both violence either physical & Sexual, or Physical, sexual & emotional, this is because some women have reported multiple forms of violence during the research. However, it is important to note that physical violence amid intimate partners or husbands is associate with psychological violence or abuses thus one third of half of the violence reports, sexual violence is involved.

4.2 Data Analysis

4.2.1 The Analysis of Prevalence Rate of DV in Nigeria

The analysis below is about the percentage of spouse violence within the North and South of Nigeria, the indicators used to observed the rate of violence between the two region, are emotional, physical, sexual, or physical & sexual violence, physical, sexual & emotional, either physical or sexual and lastly, physical or sexual or emotional. The Zone characteristic from the NDHS database was used, to sum up, the three GPZ of the North and three GPZ of the South. This enabled the study to understand the impact of DV between the Northern and Southern region of Nigeria. The indicators will be abbreviated as follows: -

Z = Zones = (North & South)

N = North = (NC + NE + NW)

S = South = (SE + SS + SW)

EV = (Emotional Violence)

PV = (Physical Violence)

SV = (Sexual Violence)

PV+SV = (Physical & Sexual Violence)

PV+SV+EV = (Physical, Sexual & Emotional Violence)

PV/SV = (Physical or Sexual Violence)

PV/SV/EV = (Physical or Sexual or Emotional Violence)

Table 4.1

% of Spouse Violence in the Northern region of Nigeria

EV = T(EV)% x T (no. of married women sampled)

EV = 61.8% x 13924

EV = 8605

Table 4.1 shows the percentage of spouse violence in the Northern axis of Nigeria, a combination of the north-central, north-east and north-west, gives the total per cent of spouse violence within each variable indicated in the table as against the number of married women sampled during the surveys. The summary here is the total % of each of the variable (emotional, physical, sexual violence) was multiply against the total number of married women sampled. This is justified based on the study of domestic violence and the bold figure below the table shows the number of married women affected by either one or more variables.

Table

4.2. % of Spouse Violence in the Southern region of Nigeria

EV = T(EV)% x T (no. of married women sampled)

EV =72.2% x 7270

EV = 5250

Table 4.2 shows the number of spouse violence within the southern region of Nigeria, this comprises of the south-east, south-south and south-west, this display is sum up in an arithmetic process to actually come up with the total per cent of the southern part of the country showing the total number of married women affected by spouse violence within each variable as indicated above as against the total number of married women sampled during the domestic violence study.

Table 4.1.1

The percentage of spouse violence in the Northern region

Source: NDHS, 2013

Table 4.1.1 above shows the percentage of spouse violence with the NC, NE and NW, a careful study shows that among sexual, emotional and physical violence, emotional violence seems to be high compared to the other forms of violence while either sexual or physical or emotional violence seems much higher than physical or emotional. However, north-central emotional violence is more prominent, while sexual violence is at its lowest form. NW has the lowest rate of DV compare to NC and NE.

Table. 4.2.1

The percentage of spouse violence in the Southern region

Source: NDHS, 2013

Table 4.2.1 shows the per cent of spouse violence within the south-east, south-south and south-west region. However, within sexual, emotional and physical violence, emotional violence and physical violence seem to be lower than sexual violence but, in the case of physical, sexual or emotional violence seems to be the highest forms of violence with both the Northern and southern region as we have observed in (fig. 4.2.1 & 4.1.1) the above tables. SE and SS seem to have the highest rate of DV compare to SW with the lowest rate of violence.

Table. 4.3.1

The comparison of spouse violence between the Northern & South region of Nigeria

Source: NDHS, 2013

Table 4.3.1 shows the number of sampled married women within the northern and southern region, The North shows a high number of DV atrocities compare to the southern as observed from the Chart above, thus it could be as a results of the population density in the North compared to the South, another good observation is that married women who are abused physically, emotionally and sexually are more compare to a woman who experiences either one of such violence (SV, EV & PV). In all emotional violence seems to be the highest form of violence among the sexual and physical violence and a combination of both physical, sexual and emotional violence tends to be very low compared to physical and sexual violence in both the North and south respectively. Sexual violence is much in the North compared to the south. The overall highest form of DV is the physical or sexual or emotional violence that happens within different occurrences as stipulated in the Chart.

Table. 4.3.2

Total percent of comparison spouse violence within the North and South region

Table 4.3.2 shows the prevalence of spouse violence within the Northern and Southern part of Nigeria, thus its display in percentage the total number of spouse violence within both regions, with the south having the highest form of domestic violence which is physical, sexual or emotional violence with 96.3% and only emotional violence with 72.2% and the lowest among form of violence is the combination of physical, sexual and emotional altogether, what this means is that married women do not encounter all the three forms of domestic violence at the same time in a goal and those who go through this form of abuses is not much as compare to each of the forms of violence, the combination of these form of violence in the north is 10.4% while the south is 8.8%. Another important dimension is that women who suffers from both physical and sexual violence at the same time is also very low, the north is 11.8% and the south is 11% respectively. They are approximately the same in the North and South, with know much difference at a careful glance.

Table 4.3.3

total percentage of DV within the North and South region of Nigeria

Table 4.3.3 shows the total percentage of the North (GPZ) and the South (GPZ) on domestic violence. Surprising the South tends to have a higher per cent of DV compare to the North. This was as a result of the number of a sample population of married women who have experienced one or more forms of DV. The highest form of DV in the South is 96.3% while the North is 75.4% while in both PV and SV, they both experience similar lower per cent, the North is 11.8% and South 11% based on the comparative analysis of northern and southern Nigeria. The study has observed the reasons behind some of these statistic representations of DV within the both region from some of the charts above.

4.3 Data Interpretation

4.3.1 Comparative Analysis of the Northern and Southern Nigeria

From table 4.1 & 4.2, the North comprises of NC, NE & NW, while the South comprises of SE, SS & SW, the population of married woman sampled between the two region, the north is 13, 929 while the South is 7,270 this significant difference can be traced to the percentage of women in the North which is 26.8% and the population is 37, 070,077, while the South is 23.3% and also represent 32,190,427 population of women in the country according to the 2006 census by National Population Commission.

Among the NC, NE & NW the number of married women sampled from age 15 -49 during the survey is 13, 929 however, out of these women 8,605 have experienced only emotional abuse from their husbands or intimate partners. i.e. 61.8% of the total women sampled proceeding the survey. While among the SE, SS & SW out of the number of women sampled which is 7,270 those who experience only emotional abuses is 5,220 which is 72.2%

In terms of physical violence, the North 5,499 women have experienced this form of DV which represent 39.5% and while in the South 4,799 women have experienced only physical violence in the hands of their perpetrators which represent 66% of women in the South. In the North, women who have experienced sexual abuses is 2,727 which represent 19.8% of 13,929 married women sampled, however in the South sexual violence only 952 women which is 13.2% of 7,272 of the total women sampled.

For women who have experienced both physical and sexual violence in the North is 1,643 of the 13,929 which represent 11.8% of the total women sampled and in the South 844 women have experienced both physical and sexual violence out of the 7,270 women sampled. The number of women who have experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence in the North is 1,448 which is 10.4% of the 13,929 women sampled. While the population of women who have experienced all the three forms of violence in the South is 639, which is 8.8% of 7,270 women sampled.

The number of women who have been physically or sexually abused within a different given period in the North over the 6,628 women sampled has perfectly experience either physical or sexual abused within the different times consistently, which is 47.6% of 13, 924 women sampled. However, in the South is 4,949 women have been abused physically and sexually with the different period which is 68.2% of the 7,270 women sampled during the last survey. Lastly, women who have experienced either physical, sexual or emotional abuse consistently within the different period in the North is 10,499 which is 75.43% of 13,924 of women sampled, while the South 7,003 which is 96.3% of 7,270 of married women sampled have been abused at a different period in their lives.

The total number of women affected in the North is more than the South, but a careful glances at the study shows that the percentage of DV in the North is less than that of the South region, but the impact of abuses in the Southern population is more compare to the Northern region, so many factors could have triggered the DV within the country. One of such is the policy implementation failure of domestic violence in Nigeria, for instance, in 2015 under the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration he implemented the Violence Against Person Prohibition Act (VAPP) which was passed into law, these laws covers every aspect of women's rights and domestic violence policy, which include Rape, Prohibition of Female Circumcision & Genital Mutilation, Domestic Offences (Abandonment of children, spouse and other dependents without means of sustenance, forceful ejection from home, spousal battery and incest) Compensation of Victims, Protection of victims, Attempt as an Offence, Provision for smooth operation of the Law, Socio-economic Violence, Sexual offenders Record, Superiority of the Act, and Political Violence. This rich document has not been domesticated within 33 states of the country only 3 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja have domesticated these Act. According to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, stated that only 3 States have implemented the VAPP Act which are Ebonyi, Anambra (South-East) and Oyo State (South West) and the FCT, Abuja (Oguntola, 2018). However, this explained further why DV in the North is high compared to the South, apart from the population density, there are no substantial policies implementation in place in the North. Whereas in the South, there is an insignificant level of implementation in the South-West and South-East, out of the 17 States that comprise the Southern region only three States have been able to domesticate the VAPP 2015.

4.4 Findings

In order to understand the reason behind the increase of DV and the ineptitude attitude of the government, it will be important to observe some of the findings from experts' interviews. These set of investigation was institutionalized to analyse the set objectives of the research.

Domestic violence is a serious problem in the context of Nigeria as a nation, the ethnic groups in Nigeria are more than 300 tribes which has constantly affected the decisions of policies, however, some of these policies are rather supported by the patriarchal system. One of the respondents believe that “the society doesn't really recognize the scale and scope of the problem” (Respondent 1) another respondent 2 support that it is the “activists' model of conservative views of thinking” referring to the State and they believe that it happens all over the world, not just Nigeria. Another respondent 3 seems to have a different perception saying that “official statistics records of DV is not fully recognized by the society as well as the State”.