Socio-cultural norms encouraging violence against women (VAW) from a popular ethnic group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the roles of schools in preventing VAW

Abstract

Existing literature has shown that violence against women (VAW) is still common in Africa. Harmful traditional cultural norms have contributed to VAW. The identification and the awareness of the negative effect of these socio-cultural norms (SCN) will reduce VAW in Nigeria. This work looks at the socio-cultural norms (SCN) that lead to violence against rural and sub-urban Nigerian women. A mixed research approach involving 400 people from Ikaland of different age levels, marital status, and educational attainment was adopted. More than 75% of the respondents agreed that blaming the wife for her husband’s angry outburst, not prospering, and his mysterious death are the leading promoters of VAW. Others are; that a woman is not accorded respect if she is not married, and it is not proper for a wife to deed any landed property in her name. Participants suggested that schools could minimise these SCN by using the teaching-learning process, mass media, and professional academic associations to carry out public campaigns. This investigation adds to the current body of information on SCN that promote VAW in the various ethnic groups and provides ways the schools can contribute to combating these norms. Educational stakeholders should implement the recommended school ways of eliminating these identified socio-cultural norms.