This video is important to me because so many women are suffering in silence or have lost their loved ones to this form of abuse. Hopefully, more conversations like this will be had in the future and we can see a reduction of this.


STATISTICS

UN Women and Reproductive Rights in Africa

• According to UN Women, approximately 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, which often includes reproductive coercion. In many African countries, including Nigeria, this form of gender-based violence is prevalent but remains underreported due to stigma and cultural norms.
• The UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) reports that over 22 million girls and women in Africa lack access to modern contraception. This lack of access is a major contributor to reproductive coercion, as women may be unable to prevent unwanted pregnancies, leaving them vulnerable to the control of their partners.
• In Nigeria specifically, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is among the highest in the world, with 512 deaths per 100,000 live births (as of 2020). This highlights the physical dangers of continuous pregnancies, especially when women lack agency in deciding how many children they want to have.

Additional Insights from Women-Led Organizations and NGOs

• The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) advocates for women’s economic and political empowerment. They have identified that economic dependency is one of the primary reasons women remain in abusive marriages. This economic coercion is often tied to reproductive coercion, as frequent pregnancies limit women’s ability to work and be financially independent.
• ActionAid Nigeria, a leading NGO, has reported that 32% of Nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence, which includes being coerced into pregnancies against their will. They emphasize that more comprehensive laws and policies are needed to protect women from gender-based violence, including reproductive control.
• Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in Nigeria is another organization tackling issues related to gender-based violence. They argue that reproductive health rights are central to combating abuse, and they advocate for greater education and access to family planning resources for women across Nigeria.
• UNICEF Nigeria has highlighted the need for better sexual and reproductive health education, particularly in rural areas. Only 13% of married women in Nigeria use modern contraceptives, often due to pressure from their spouses, which further exacerbates the issue of reproductive coercion.