GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND OBNOXIOUS TRADITIONAL PRACTICES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper discusses Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and obnoxious traditional practices in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general. It saw Gender Based Violence as targeted at a particular gender. Some of the Gender-Based Violence discussed are domestic violence, socioeconomic violence, physical violence, verbal violence and sexual violence. Linkable to cultural feminist theory, the study finds out that tradition, patriarchy, and religious teachings are the root causes of gender-based violence. Therefore, the research recommends women's economic empowerment, campaigns and awareness, change of attitude and gender roles, and the scrapping of obnoxious cultural and religious practices to savage the occurrences of genderbased
violence in Nigeria.