BY PATRICIA TAFT*

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

Over the past quarter (August to October 2016), there were 165 reported incidents of Violence Affecting Women and Girls (VAWG) across the eight NSRP focus states, based on all sources from the NSRP Observatory Platform. The total number of reports is lower than the previous two quarters; however, the main themes of reported VAWG incidents remained the same: child sexual abuse and violence, as well as domestic violence. VAWG incidents occurring in the wider context of insecurity, including cultism, insurgency and counter-insurgency activities and inter-communal conflicts between herder and farmer communities, were prevalent as well.

Particularly in Borno state, insurgency and counter-insurgency efforts relating to the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) group continue to affect many women and girls. In addition to multiple reports of female suicide bombers and the fatalities caused by JAS attacks in the Northeast, multiple reports this quarter noted the sexual violence that accompanies these raids. The majority of crime-related incidents this quarter came from the Niger Delta (specifically Rivers and Delta states), although Kano and Plateau states each reported one crime-related incident.

*Hannah Blyth and Christina Murphy contributed to this report.