BY PATRICIA TAFT*

This report summarizes the main findings as detailed in three memos produced during the ninth quarter of data collection and analysis. This quarterly report covers the time period from May to July 2016.

Over the past quarter (May to July 2016,) there were 193 reported incidents of Violence Affecting Women and Girls (VAWG) across the eight NSRP focus states, based on all sources from the Peace Map and the NSRP Observatory Platform. Although the overall number of reported incidents decreased from the previous quarter, the main themes of reported VAWG incidents remained the same: child sexual abuse and violence, as well as domestic violence. Amidst the backdrop of broader insecurity in the states, other VAWG incidents related to insurgency/counter-insurgency or general incidents of criminality. Inter-communal violence, which has been on the rise, remained high as ongoing conflicts between pastoralists and local communities resulted in a significant increase in internally displaced women and girls living in abject poverty, particularly in Plateau state.

Insurgency and counter-insurgency efforts relating to the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) group continue to impact many women and girls, particularly in Borno state. The Northeast region saw a decrease in domestic violence reports, which had spiked last quarter, while the Niger Delta region saw an increase in incidents of mob and gang violence that were often fatal. All reports of crime-related VAWG incidents this quarter came from Niger Delta states.

*Hannah Blyth contributed to this report.