A comparative analysis of socio-economic determinants of rape incidence among women of reproductive age (15-49) in rural and urban communities in Nigeria
Rape as a form of gender-based violence (GBV) has attracted attention globally due to its devastating effect on the victims and the society. This study examined the factors that determine rape among women of reproductive age (15-49) in rural and urban communities in Nigeria. A national survey data was collected in Nigeria across the six geopolitical zones through multiple stage sampling technique and part of the national survey data was used as sample for this study. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics and carried out with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results from the analysis indicated that in the rural community, access to primary and tertiary level of education decrease the likelihood of experiencing rape while in the urban community access to secondary education could trigger the likelihood of experiencing rape, while access to primary education in the urban community would reduce the likelihood of experiencing rape as found in the rural community. The type of employment acquired by the respondents is not significant for all categories of employment in the rural communities, nevertheless, this is only significant and decreases the likelihood of experiencing rape in the urban community for work away from home category. The income variable is not significant for all categories of income in both rural and urban communities. The study recommended that employment and education should be encouraged especially among female gender and this should be taken with caution because of societal cultural value and male dominance. Also, for employments that are susceptible to sexual abuse physical contact should be reduced to the minimal level and these could be achieved through e-commerce, e business, and digital economic activities so that direct contact between gender can be minimized.
Keywords: Rape, gender-based violence, reproductive age, sexual abuse, employment
