Dialectic Appraisal of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Among Female Undergraduates in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Numerous research, over time, indicates that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is a public health problem in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. However, there is still a paucity of knowledge about beliefs and socio-economic implications regarding gender-based violence among Nigerian Undergraduates and how receptive they are to help change this culture by participating in prevention programs. This study, therefore, intends to use findings from a cross-sectional study in selected southwestern Nigerian tertiary institutions, especially institutions like colleges of education, school of health technology, school of nursing and midwifery, and polytechnics, where we have a more significant percentage of female undergraduates and relatively low awareness of Sexual and Gender Based Violence, to measure prevalence, determinants, pattern, beliefs, socio-economic implications, risk factors including rape and SGBV acceptance, and readiness for change. Two research instruments are used for the study; Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Questionnaires (SGBVO); and Sociological Construct Questionnaire (SCQ). More so, a designed survey was administered to 1,200 female undergraduates from the selected schools. The findings provide insight into these undergraduates’' prevalence, pattern, determinants, and beliefs, their socio-economic impacts, and how they operate together to scaffold sexual and gender-based violence in Nigerian higher institution settings. Keywords: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Prevention programs, Socio-economic impacts, and Female undergraduates DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-20-05 Publication date: October 31 st 2022