Children may not be the face of the pandemic yet they suffer greatly for the viral woe that has befallen our world. From the impacts of worsening family poverties, increased rates of child abuse to loss of school time, children worldwide have continued to feel the pang of the corona virus.

The six-episode series sponsored by the Fund for Global Human Rights, CEE-HOPE, Nigeria's child's right and development non-governmental organisation, brings you the undiluted voices of children from across the country. It is an opportunity for children' and young person's views on a variety of developments, and experiences to be aired, articulated and included in the conversations around COVID-19.

The COVID-19 and The Virus of Domestic Violence Against Women is a podcast series of six episodes, and is made possible by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

Episode 6 concludes our series; we ask two institutional experts how they have been responding to sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria, particularly the issues highlighted throughout this podcast. 

The most common problem experienced by survivors and current victims was rape, particularly spousal abuse, as well as domestic worker abuse. 

We therefore spoke to Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Coordinator of the Lagos state Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, and Tolu Odugbesan, Head of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit of Nigeria's National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. 

CREDITS

Episode 5 covers the use of social media in reporting domestic violence how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected rates of usage by Nigerians seeking help. More than half of the world’s total population (almost four billion people) currently uses social media. Nigeria has about 27 million active social media users, and 99% of these people access social media through their phones.

You’ll hear from advocates who use social media in their work, on the trends, triumphs and pitfalls as Nigerians increasingly use social media to report and react to domestic violence and abuse in general.

The COVID-19 and The Virus of Domestic Violence Against Women is a podcast series made possible by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

CREDITS

Episode 4 commemorates the UN International Widows Day, with a special focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Nigeria’s widows.

The Global Fund for Widows has called COVID-19 “a widow-making machine,” as scientific evidence shows that more men than women are dying of the virus. Of about 258 million widows worldwide, 3.5 million are said to be Nigerian.

Two young widows share their experiences and current reality, while advocates working across Nigeria reveal the unique challenges COVID-19 has brought for widows, and the strategies they have adopted to assist these women.

The COVID-19 and The Virus of Domestic Violence Against Women is a podcast series made possible by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

CREDITS

·  Executive Producer - Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung

·  Host – Betty Abah

·  Research, scripting and Production – Ruona Meyer 

·  Interviews by Betty Abah and Ruona Meyer

Episode 3 covers Domestic worker abuse in Nigeria, an ongoing threat to the lives and mental health of young women.

There are at least 67 million adult domestic workers worldwide, and the International Labour Organisation adds that 80% of these workers are women. In Nigeria, most domestic workers are women and underage children, who risk abuse to earn a living.

Speaking to survivors, and the family member of a housemaid who died in the home of her employers, host Betty Abah unearths the family, social and economic ties that bind some Nigerians to a life of torture and modern-day slavery.

*Please note that some listeners may find portions of this podcast triggering, and we advise you proceed at your discretion.

The COVID-19 and The Virus of Domestic Violence Against Women is a podcast series made possible by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

CREDITS

Episode 2 takes on the subject of spousal rape, which occurs when a spouse forces the other to take part in sexual acts without the other’s consent. Unfortunately, under Nigerian law, spousal rape is not recognised.

You’ll hear the stories of two Nigerian women, who are survivors of spousal rape, as well as from experts who foresee higher rates of divorce, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 and The Virus of Domestic Violence Against Women is a podcast series made possible by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

CREDITS

The UN estimates that 28 per cent of Nigerian women aged 25-29 have experienced some form of physical violence since age 15, while 15 per cent of women experienced physical violence within 12 months, and 25 per cent of married women or those living with their spouses have experienced violence. The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has seen a marked increase in incidences of domestic violence in Nigeria. 

The COVID-19 and The Virus of Domestic Violence Against Women is a podcast series of six episodes, and is made possible by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

Episode 1 covers Domestic abuse, also known as "domestic violence" or "intimate partner violence.” 

Speaking to experts and relying on recent data from the United Nations, host Betty Abah examines the governmental and socio-cultural reasons for a spike in cases of domestic abuse during the lockdown period, and proffers practical solutions for victims.

CREDITS