The following memo analyzes data for the focus states of Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta for January 2016.

For January 2016, there were 30 incidents of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) reported to the NSRP Observatory Platform. While this shows a lower level of reporting than December, we expect that reports for this time period will continue to come in over the next few months, which has been the trend for months that initially have lower totals.

The trends in VAWG across the NSRP focus states remains consistent. Violence in the Northeast continues to be centered around the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) insurgency—although with the Borno Service Point reporting, there are now increased levels of reporting around domestic and sexual violence as well. Reports from the North Central and Middle Belt are focused on sexual violence and domestic violence. In the Niger Delta, reports of VAWG are primarily on domestic violence, sexual violence and general crime.

The Observatory Platform fills a vital gap in information and data when in comes to violence against women and girls. The value added to conflict analysis in the states where NSRP has service is significant. As the service points continue gain visibility and traction in their states, they provide an even deeper look at conflict environment as well as the resources that exist at the local level for women and girls in their communities.