FEMALE TO FEMALE VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA-UNVEILING THE OTHER PERPETRATOR UNDER THE VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS ACT 2015

Abstract

Violence by women against other women is a fact that is underreported,
underlitigated and understudied in Nigeria. Female-to-female violence is a
critical and multifaceted issue that affects the well-being and empowerment of
women in Nigeria. The enactment of the Violence Against Persons
(Prohibition) Act1 provides a comprehensive legal framework to address
various forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, and
economic abuse. This paper examines the prevalence, causes, and impact of
female-to-female violence within the Nigerian context, highlighting the
significance of the VAPP Act as a legislative tool for prevention and response.
By analyzing the Act's provisions and their implementation, the paper
underscores the importance of legal protection, public awareness, and
community engagement in mitigating female-to-female violence. Ultimately,
this paper aims to contribute to the discourse on female-to-female violence and
promote strategies for fostering a safer and more equitable society for all
women in Nigeria. A doctrinal research approach was adopted and it was
recommended that, by leveraging the VAPP Act and adopting a holistic
approach, Nigeria can make meaningful progress in reducing female-tofemale
violence and supporting the well-being and empowerment of women.