This memo analyzes data for the focus states of Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta for July 2015.

Reports received by the NSRP Observatory dipped in the month of July, following a spike in the previous month. Despite this decrease, reporting of VAWG incidents have continually increased from the commencement of the project nearly 18 months ago. Increased reporting is an indicator of success as it maybe could suggest a decrease in the fear and stigma associated with reporting such events. Another positive trend is the continued increase in the registration of organizations focused on gender issues as Peace Agents on the Observatory platform for scoping and networking. Since the start of this project, the number has almost doubled from 38 to 66 organizations. The increase in reports of VAWG over the last year has allowed for more open discussion and analysis of trends throughout the eight NSRP focus states. Previous trends held true this month with reports of violence affecting women and girls in July in the Niger Delta and Plateau entailing mainly sexual and domestic violence, while those in the Northeast have been linked with insurgency and counter-insurgency violence, particularly that of Boko Haram.