BREKETE FAMILY RADIO AND OLOWOKERE CHAMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS TO JUSTICE FOR APO QUARTERS, ABUJA HUSBANDS ABUSED BY THEIR WIVES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

Gender-based abuse cuts across racial, ethnic, class; age, economic, religious and cultural divides, and can come from women. Abuses from women to men, particularly married women’s abuses to their husbands are the focus of this research. Although reports of married women’s abuses of their husbands are rarely on the media, they exist, leaving men in silent suffering. Only few men often come forward seeking justice for the Abuses they suffer from their wives. That there are few men coming out to report these abuses from their wives doesn’t mean that such abuses are not happening. The overwhelming reports of only men’s abuses against women should not make invalid the cases of men suffering abuses also from their wives. Focusing on these abuses of women to their husbands makes this research unique.  Women’s abuses of their husbands happen more frequently than assumed, but are not publicized due to the men’s pride and male sense of shame, but the abuses take place everywhere in society.

The United Nations has in its treatment of gender-based abuse however been partial only to women by the special focuses it gives to the women as the sole victims of domestic abuses including violence. Yet men too suffer at the hands of women, particularly in marriage settings. This research exposes these biases by the United Nations, focusing on gender-based abuses the world body ignores or sidelined in its overemphaisis on women only as the sole victims. This research specifically then samples human rights lawyers’ contributions of gender based abuses against men from their wives as reported by Brekete Family Radio abuses including sexual starvation among married couples, deliberate toxicity and other forms of psychological tortures however been partial only to women by the special focuses it gives to the women as the sole victims of domestic abuses including violence.  The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of (abuses particularly) violence against Women (UNDEVW) as cited in Akarika et al., (2001)  excludes women’s abuses against men by specifically emphasizing only “violence as a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women.” The United Nations’ (UNDEVW) focuses on gender-based abuse only by making it a red line as “one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men.”

This research focuses on women’s abuses of men, particularly wives’ abuses of their husbands. Even the World Bank that added its voice to gender-based abuse sees it only in reference to women, ignoring or sidelining women’s abuses of men. This World Bank’s position on gender-based abuse or abuses that is biased in favour of women can be seen in the report that the World Bank noted in their World Bank report as cited in Obayi, (2021) that “gender-based abuse (GBV) is one of the most oppressive forms of gender inequality, posing a fundamental barrier to the equal participation of women and men in social,

economic, and political spheres. Gender-based abuse impedes gender equality and the achievement of a range of development outcomes.” Happily, in the above report, the World Bank included men also.  This is why SIDA (2015) opine that “gender equality is achieved when women and men, girls and boys, have equal rights, life prospects, and the power to shape their own lives and contribute to society,” (2015, p. 12). In 2006, Nigeria adopted a Framework and Plan of Action for the National Gender Policy in order to checkmate the cases of gender-based abuse and abuses in the country. “Consequently, the federal and state governments adopted several legislative and policy instruments, including The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, which prohibits female genital mutilation, harmful widowhood practices, harmful traditional practices and all forms of violence against persons in both private and public life” Obayi (2021,

 p. 15). Akarika (2019) however cautioned that “there is lack of information on accurate estimates of the magnitude of physical and sexual violence against men in Nigeria largely due to [abuses and] violence against men being unreported; and in most cases, those reported are not recorded by authorities simply because violence [abuses and] against men are not given a voice” Akarika (2019,  p. 8).

Information provides stimulus for all thought and actions of human beings. That is why Akarika et al.,  (2019) and Fab-Ukozor and Etunnu (2022) corroborate that “information entails data, facts, imaginations, ideas, opinion, cultural values in a variety of media which include print, broadcast, audio-visual materials and electronic processors” (p. 8).

1.2     Statement of the Problem

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports (February 12, 2021) that, “a doctoral study (2022) conducted by Chukwuma Uzoamaka in the University of Ibadan revealed that more men are becoming victims of gender based violence in Nigeria. The study further revealed that in spite of being abused, men will not report their ordeal, because they fear stigmatisation from friends and family. They usually do not want any third-party interference and because they are still financially dependent on their wives.

More married men are becoming victims of spousal abuse, but suffer in silence, because the society does not believe men can be victims of spousal abuse, hence, the nondisclosure of such experience for fear of stigmatisation”

www.premiumtimesng.com/news/442032/more-menbecoming-victims-of-domestic-violence-in-Lagos).

Zabala (2016) cited in Shabani (2021) avers that, “in public view, men are considered as the most violent persons in the homes; however, women have been great perpetrators of violence against their counterpart spouses. Zabala’s assertion indicates that men pass through various life ordeals alleged to be caused by their wives” (2016, P. 12).

Biblically, with reference to the context in Genesis 39, Stiebert (2019) in Shabani (2021) stated that “the passage suggests women being perpetrators of violence against men in time immemorial” (P 15). Referring to the current situation of rape

culture in the American context, Stiebert (2019) postulates that, “maybe, the story of Joseph and Potipher’s wife highlights the important truth that males, too, can be victims of sexual abuse. Maybe this story demonstrates that women can also be aggressors and perpetrators of gendered violence and abuse” (P 18).

Despite the efforts of the government and media programmes and reportage on Gender abuse, Gender abuse against men still persists overwhelmingly. The media have a role to play in the fight against this occurrence given the fact that media is saddled with a social responsibility role to the society. Considering how a number of human rights cases are often overlooked or not adequately covered or reported perhaps because of the parties involved, it is noticeable that a human right radio/television station called Brekete Family Radio has emerged in Nigeria with headquarters in Abuja and branches elsewhere. Brekete Family Radio invites victims of domestic/gender based abuses to its shows to listen, investigate and seek justice for every Nigerian who approaches it for assistance. The station airs on radio and cable television, and streams online through social media platforms and Human Right Radio 101.1 in Abuja Nigeria.

Berekete Family Reality Radio and TV Talk Magazine is a Nigerian nonprofit established in 2011. It produces a daily program using research, investigation, dialogues, mediation and advocacy to help citizens’ especially indigent populations, access service providers and regulators and demand accountability and compensation for abuses (MacArthur Foundation, 2-23, pg 1).

According to Unah (2018), the station is focused on protecting the rights of the downtrodden, helping to provide justice for the voiceless and stimulating Nigerians to show interest and care for the oppressed. The station and show is known for its investigation in cases of interest such as serious crimes, human right abuse or corporate wrongdoing and corruption. According to Unah (2018), added that some of the programmes aired help provide legal assistance via a network of pro bono lawyers, human rights education, (therefore include these human rights lawyers in title of your project) news and health rights, address rights violations faced by people with disabilities, or those who become victims of administrative injustices, discrimination, pension matters, sexual violence and unlawful dismissal. The station’s shows have a live audience, some are phone in programmes, and are all popular with people eager to be heard in a country where they feel justice has not been done (Unah, 2018).

In Abuja, like in most other places, Gender abuses  are often experienced by men from their women. Liyeh et al. (2021) cited in Obayi (2021) stated that gender-based abuse is a “serious, life threatening global problem that affects women, girls, boys, and men, and it is widely underreported in all settings” (P 24). Liyeh et al. (2021) added that “Gender abuse is more dangerous than cancer, motor vehicle accidents, war, and malaria. It cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth, and geography” Liyeh et al. (2021 P 24).

This research therefore bridges this gap in knowledge by contributing to awareness on men facing abuses from women with examples of Abuja husbands being abused by their wives and how they sought justice either through Brekete Family Radio or through human rights lawyers and Non Governmental Organizations. The research uphold that  men are increasingly becoming victims of spousal abuse, but suffer in silence, because the society does not believe men can be victims of spousal abuse, hence, the non-disclosure of such experience for fear of stigmatisation and the media exposure. The media too, is not giving the much needed attention to the men victims of abuses by women in order to nip the act in the bud.

1.3       Objectives of the Study

The following are the study’s objectives:

1)                 To find out what types of abuses the men have suffered at the hands of their wives and how the abuses have affected them.

2)                 To discover the major reasons of the abuse of the men by their wives.

3)                 To find out how many Abuja men have reported cases of abuses by their wives to Brekete Family Radio and to human rights lawyers.

4)                 To find out what actions Brekete Family Radio and Olowokere Chambers have taken to remedy the abuses that the men suffered from their wives.

 

1.4       Research Questions

1)                 What types of abuses the men have suffered at the hands of their wives and how the abuses have affected the men

2)                 What are the major reasons for the wives’ abuses of their men.

3)                 How many Apo Quarters, Abuja men have reported cases of abuses by their wives to Brekete Family Radio and Olowokere Chambers

4)                 What actions Brekete Family Radio and Olowokere Chambers have taken to remedy the abuses that the men suffered from their wives.

 

1.5       Significance of the study

This study is significant in the above scopes identified and specified, particularly on contributions of Berekete family radio and also that of human rights lawyers’ NGOs and other media and organizations or individuals. The study is also significant to other contributions regarding justice for abused husbands in Abuja because it can raise awareness about the issue, challenge harmful gender norms, and promote reporting and support for male victims of Gender abuse. The research can inform the general public on the effectiveness of media campaigns and contribute to broader efforts to combat gender-based abuse, particularly women abuse of men in relationship and domestic misunderstandings. The significance of the study is in the fact that it can provide valuable information to organizations and service providers to assist them with helping with victims of Gender abuse on how to better reach and support male survivors. It can also encourage male victims to come forward and report abuse, knowing that they are not alone and that there are resources available to help them. The academic significance of this study is that it is of great help to students and researchers who might embark on a related study. It will serve as a point of reference and literature enhancement.

1.6       Scope of the study

This study focuses on the ignored abuses men suffer at the hands of women particularly in domestic relations. The study brings these abuses of men by women in relationships through the men’s complains for justice as brought to light by either the media or human rights lawyers and nongovernmental organizations. Although these abuses of men by women are not made known by the men themselves, the study also focuses on the men’s choices to remain silent for fear of stigmatizations and due to male pride. The study insists however that gender based abuses are offences that need to be brought to light for justice to prevail to all parties of domestic abuses. The study therefore document instances where men seek justice through airing their grievances to the media, human rights organsations or radio and television stations. The contributions of these individuals, media organizations or human rights lawyers and NGOs are therefore the scope of this research.  The concern is on how these media help in raising awareness, providing support, and advocating for legal recourse for men experiencing Gender abuse. The scope of the study also includes examining the effectiveness of the programs in reaching this specific demographic, the types of support they offer, and their impact on societal perceptions of male victims.