The socio-economic impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on girl child in Northern Nigeria

The changing context of armed conflict which has resulted in grave consequences for children has continued to have a negative impact on the enjoyment of their rights guaranteed in several international and regional human... [ view full abstract ]

The changing context of armed conflict which has resulted in grave consequences for children has continued to have a negative impact on the enjoyment of their rights guaranteed in several international and regional human rights instruments. In particular, armed conflict has dire implications on children’s access to and enjoyment of their socio-economic rights such as education, healthcare, food, water and adequate housing as institutions protecting them such as family, schools, and hospitals are potential targets during armed conflict. The girl child is particularly vulnerable as they are exposed to sexual violence, forced marriage leading to unwanted pregnancies and STDs such as HIV/AIDS in addition to the denial of their socio-economic rights. This study considers the impact of armed conflict on the socio-economic rights of the girl child in the context of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern region of Nigeria with emphasis on the right to health and education. It brings to the fore the fact that the negative impact on the socio-economic rights of the girl child is largely due on one hand to the targeted attacks against girls in their schools, abduction and recruitment for use in suicide bombings by the boko haram insurgents. On the other hand, the study emphasises the weak intervention programmes on the part of the Nigerian government in addressing the specific needs of girls affected by the insurgency. Also, the internally displaced sheltered in IDP camps have difficulties accessing education or appropriate healthcare services as the intervention programmes by the Nigerian government is largely limited to food and shelter which is even inadequate. Conclusively, given that children’s rights are not suspended during armed conflict, the study highlights the need for States affected to see the protection of rights of the girl child particularly their socio-economic rights as imperative.