GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA AND INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTIONS TO CURB IT: INFERENCE FROM LAGOS STATE

Abstract

Gender-based violence is considered among the most significant violations of human rights principles, cutting across social, economic, and political boundaries. In Nigeria’s most populous city (Lagos), Gender Based Violence manifests in multiple forms ranging from domestic abuse and sexual assault to psychological and economical violence, despite existing legal and institutional framework aimed at curbing it. This study examines the widespread nature, causes of gender-based violence within Lagos State, while critically evaluating international interventions designed to address it. The study utilized a descriptive survey approach within a mixed-method framework. Findings from the study shows the need for stronger collaboration between local authorities and international partners, emphasizing community-based strategies and gender-sensitive education as pathways to lasting change. Ultimately, the study extends the existing body of knowledge and engages with contemporary debates surrounding gender-based violence by bridging the gap between global interventions and local realities within the Nigerian context. It recommends continuous call for an integrated, victim-centered approach to policy and implementation.