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 November 2016 to January 2017.

Over the past quarter (November 2016 to January 2017), there were 89 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 three quarters; however, the main themes in reported VAWG incidents remained the same: child sexual abuse and violence, as well as domestic violence. Broader trends of insecurity, including cultism, insurgency and counter-insurgency activities and inter-communal conflicts between herder and farmer communities, continue to be salient VAWG issues as well.

Consistent with previous quarters, insurgency and counter-insurgency efforts relating to the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) group continue to impact women and girls, particularly in Borno state. While most reports from Borno this quarter involved female JAS-related suicide bombers, two reports detailed the abduction of multiple women and girls in the course of JAS attacks. One report also detailed the rescue of 19 women and 19 children by the Nigerian army during a counter-insurgency operation. Further, two criminal incidents were reported during the quarter, both in Delta state.

*Hannah Blyth and Christina Murphy contributed to this report.