After enduring unimaginable abuse at the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and the Nigerian Military, surviving girls and young women of this terror in Northern Nigeria continue to face a new challenge of reintegration into communities.
The affected girls and young women suffer stigma, a bridge away from societal standards, and a lack of support from the Nigerian government.
Their reintegration needs, which include healthcare, education, and legal assistance, remain unfulfilled. To fulfill these needs, the Nigerian government should partner with corporate bodies to fund reintegration programmes and community leaders should educate residents on being sensitive to the plight of these survivors.
An Amnesty International June 2024 report reveals the horrible experiences of girls and young women in the insurgency-ravaged region of Northern Nigeria. The report relied on 126 interviews, including 76 girls and young women who suffered at the hands of Boko Haram. It told the stories of forced marriage, sexual slavery, and several other human rights violations. The report also touches on the process of reintegration.
To address the social stigma and rejection that these girls and young women face, the Nigerian government should mobilize private and corporate bodies to create avenues to support reintegration programmes. Private and corporate bodies can bring specialised expertise, such as counseling services and economic empowerment programmes to complement government efforts, enhancing the overall impact of reintegration initiatives.
The Nigerian government must initiate community-led initiatives that prioritise mental health and well-being by providing trauma counselling and establishing support groups for survivors. These initiatives will help survivors process trauma, develop coping mechanisms, and connect with others who have experienced similar predicaments. In addition, the government, in partnership with community leaders, must design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive education and sensitization initiatives that reorientate residents to be empathetic towards survivors. These initiatives also eliminate stigma and foster supportive environments for survivors.
The Nigerian government should facilitate the provision of quality education and economic empowerment programmes in partnership with private education providers. These programmes would equip girls who survive insurgency with the skills and resources needed to make informed decisions about their lives and become financially independent. This partnership could help build and renovate schools in affected areas, provide scholarships and educational materials, launch vocational training programmes, and develop technical skills.
The European Union humanitarian aid has donated approximately €488 million since 2024 to Nigeria for insurgency survivors in Northern Nigeria. Regardless, there has been little to no change in the state of these people. The Nigerian government must prioritise transparency and accountability in the utilisation of funds and resources allocated for the reintegration of Boko Haram girl survivors. This transparency can be achieved through regular audits, public disclosure of budget allocations, and the establishment of independent monitoring mechanisms. Furthermore, clear performance metrics and benchmarks should be set for reintegration programmes to enable periodic evaluations and guarantee that resources reach their intended beneficiaries. These are pertinent, as plans without accountability are like pouring water into a basket.
The report by Amnesty International is not just a collation of stories but a call to action. It is a reminder that the survivors of Boko Haram’s brutality are not just statistics, but human beings who deserve necessary support and care. They have witnessed the worst of humanity and deserve to witness the best of it.
- Sakeenah Kareem is a writing fellow at African Liberty.
