Domestic and marital violence among the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria

Collins Nwabunike, Memorial University
Eric Tenkorang, Memorial University
Pearl Sedziafa, Memorial University

There is evidence that between half and two-thirds of Nigerian women have experienced domestic violence and that this appears to be higher in some ethnic groups than others. Yet studies that examine the ethnic dimensions of domestic and marital violence are conspicuously missing in the literature. We fill this void using data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Results indicate significant ethnic differences with Igbo women more likely to have experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence compared to Yoruba women. Hausa women were however significantly less likely to experience physical and sexual violence but not emotional violence, compared to Yoruba women. Igbo and Hausa women with domineering husbands were significantly more likely to experience physical and sexual violence, compared to Yoruba women with such husbands. Also, Igbo and Hausa women who thought wife-beating was justified were more likely to experience marital violence, compared to Yoruba women.