ABOUT GBV WEST AFRICA EXPOSED

The following testimonies were shared by refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons of concern to UNHCR across the West and Central Africa Region. All stories were collected with their informed consent. Their first names as well as their country of origin have been changed. The photos are illustrative.

Nigéria: Nilaja's testimony

“Everything was going well at the initial stage of our relationship. The man disappeared when I was 7 months pregnant... “

GBV: Psychological / Emotional Violence

#WomanNotSlave
#MaritalViolence

Let's break the silence
Share this story

Everything was going well at the initial stage of our relationship. He had promised marriage to me. But you know what? the man disappeared when I was 7 months pregnant. The descent into hell began for me, the bills piled up even though I could not afford to pay them. The child when he’ll be born will also have needs that I will not be able to meet, entirely dependent on me. I live in a refugee camp and my psychological state is negatively impacted.

I am experiencing night terrors, intense worries and fears of safe delivery as well as neglect and lack of family support.

The humanitarians help me with a psychologist, to hold on. I am anxious, sometimes I have moments of panic.

I refused to file a complaint against the father of my child. I prefer mediation. I do not want my former partner to be arrested and taken to court. A mediation was held not long ago, he finally accepted to take his responsibilities towards our child.

“I am so happy, I am fine now, the organization listened, my partner is taking care of us and I got dignity kit from the organization and I am visiting the hospital for antenatal services, my baby is healthy”. 
Infliction of mental or emotional pain or injury. Among other examples: threats of physical or sexual violence, intimidation, humiliation, forced isolation, pursuit, verbal harassment, unwanted attention, remarks, gestures or writings of a sexual and / or threatening nature, destruction of precious property, etc.

For more information about denial of economic resources

Denial of resources, opportunities or services: Denial of resources, opportunities or services: denial of legitimate access to economic resources / assets or livelihood opportunities, and to education, health or other social services. We talk about denial of resources, opportunities and services, for example, when a widow is prevented from receiving an inheritance, when a person's income is forcibly confiscated by his close companion or a member of his family, when a woman is prohibited from using contraception, when a girl is prevented from going to school, etc. Cases of general poverty should not be recorded.

 

Psychological / Emotional Abus: Infliction of mental or emotional pain or injury. Among other examples: threats of physical or sexual violence, intimidation, humiliation, forced isolation, pursuit, verbal harassment, unwanted attention, remarks, gestures or writings of a sexual nature and / or threatening, destruction of precious property, etc.

ABOUT GBV WEST AFRICA EXPOSED

The following testimonies were shared by refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons of concern to UNHCR across the West and Central Africa Region. All stories were collected with their informed consent. Their first names as well as their country of origin have been changed. The photos are illustrative.