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Paper short abstract:

This study provides empirical evidence of how trends in "unbalanced developments" in gender, female empowerment, and economy could be dangerous for women's physical, sexual, and marital well-being in a patriarchal African context, between 2008 and 2018.

Paper long abstract:

Introduction

Nigeria has achieved significant gender development milestones following the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals. However, between 2008 and 2018, husband-to-wife violence (HWV) in Nigerian households has increased. This study examines the complex relationship between gender progress and HWV, highlighting the dangers of backlash dynamics in development.

Methods

Data come from three waves of national surveys (the 2008, 2013, and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys). Using multiple logistic regressions and logit-based non-linear multivariate decomposition technique (mvdcmp) recommended by Powers and colleagues in 2011, four main factors were examined: recent increases in women's income relative to husbands', trends in husbands' alcohol use, couples’ attitudes toward violence, and household poverty, among others.

Results

The study found a 3%-point (or 45% relative) increase in women's income level and a 4%-point (or 16% relative) increase in women's victimization with HWV, during the study years. Earning more income than husband was a significant risk factor for HWV; time-wise changes in couples' socioeconomic characteristics accounted for 28% of the increases. Although more couples became less likely to justify HWV, recent increases in husbands’ alcohol abuse also contributed about 39%, especially in middle-income households. Together, more husbands became abusive if their women experienced higher income or lacked personal income. In both ways, women were victimized.

Conclusion and Implication

Gender developments can be dangerous to women without requisite anti-backlash strategies. Comprehensive policies are needed to mitigate risks and ensure progress does not exacerbate vulnerabilities. More study implications will be addressed at the conference.