The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report reveals the states with the most prevalent cases of sexual violence against women. This survey was carried out in 2018 and is the most recent report of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
The top 3 states with the highest population in Nigeria tops the list of states with the most prevalent cases of sexual violence against women with Lagos ranking first, Kaduna, and Kano ranking second and third respectively.
65% of ever-married women named their spouses as the perpetrator. Among never-married women, 28% named strangers as the perpetrator, 27% named current partners as the perpetrator, 24% named acquaintances/friends as the perpetrator and 7% of currently married women named strangers as the perpetrator of sexual violence against them.
It is possible that the high volume of cases in Lagos, Kano and Kaduna are a consequence of higher volumes of people. The data however provides a good platform for advocacy of adoption of policies and actions to further protect women in these states.
Dataphyte’s Gender in Nigeria Advocacy brochure provides more analysis on gender indices in Nigeria such as sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage etc.