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Paper short abstract

This paper examines the effect of the introduction of islamic law in Nigeria on gender based violence. The study exploits variation in the exposure to sharia (known as islamic law) in northern states in Nigeria by using data from the Nigeria's DHS and a difference-in-differences approach.

Paper long abstract

In 1999, some northern states in Nigeria introduced sharia, also known as islamic law. Islamic law has been found to impact on women's litigant rights, which could affect other women's outcomes. This paper examines This paper examines the effect of the introduction of islamic law in Nigeria on gender based violence (intimate partner violence). In this study, we use data from Nigeria's Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for periods before and after the introduction of sharia across the northern states in Nigeria. In addition, we exploit the variation in the introduction of islamic law over time using a difference-in-differences estimation approach. The DHS data used in our analysis covered 1999, 2003, 2008 and 2013, and the outcomes variables include reported incidence of domestic violence, attitudes to domestic violence, and reporting experience of domestic violence. Moreover, we identify plausible pathways or mechanisms through which the introduction of islamic law in Nigeria affects gender based violence. The findings of the study reveals that the introduction of sharia is positively associated with the experience of gender based violence. The results of the study contributes to advancing our understanding of some of the potential drivers or causes of gender based violence in developing countries context.