The following memo analyses data for the NSRP focus states of Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta for March 2017.

There were 28 incidents of Violence Affecting Women and Girls (VAWG) reported from all NSRP observatory sources in March 2017. Consistent with previous months, the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) insurgency and counter-insurgency activities continued to be a primary source of VAWG, comprising the majority of reported incidents in March. Reports related to sexual and domestic violence, including child abuse, also continued to be salient issues.

Borno state reported the highest number of VAWG-related incidents this month, with 12 incidents, followed by Kano with six incidents and Kaduna with five. The fewest number of incidents for the month of March came from the Niger Delta region, with four incidents reported in Delta state and one incident in Bayelsa, mostly related to insecurity and physical abuse. Four incidents of violence affecting boys were also reported by NSRP Observatory sources in March. Two of these cases were reported in Delta state, and Bayelsa and Borno states each reported one case.