NBS: Number of female rape victims increased to 65% in 2022

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the number of women who were victims of rape in Nigeria increased from 48 percent in 2021 to 65 percent in 2022.

In the agency’s latest report titled Statistical Report on Women and Men in Nigeria 2022, the percentage of females who experience rape increased annually.

The report also showed that the percentage of females trafficked for forced labour decreased to 59.14 percent in 2022, while those trafficked for prostitution grew by 99.55 percent.

Adeyemi Adeniran, statistician-general of the federation, said the new report aims to support policies and programmes on equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for women and men in the country.

“In 2020, 29.00 percent of females were victims of rape, which increased significantly in 2021 and 2022 to 48.00 percent and 65.00 percent respectively,” a part of the report reads.

“This indicates that women and the girl-child are most likely to be raped compared to their male counterparts.

“Meanwhile, across the states, FCT had the highest in 2020 with 10.00 percent, and Benue state recorded the highest incidence of rape for females in both 2021 and 2022 with 15.00 per cent and 12.00 per cent respectively.”

The report also said the percentage of females in Nigerian prisons increased from 4.48 percent in 2021 to 4.82 percent in 2022.

It also showed that male inmates account for 95.18 percent of criminals imprisoned in 2022 across all the correctional centres in the country.

“According to the Nigeria Correctional Service data, the percentage of females admitted into prison was 4.90 percent, 4.48 percent, and 4.82 percent in 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively,” the report reads.

“In 2020, 2021, and 2022, male inmates accounted for 95.10 percent, 95.52 percent, and 95.18 percent respectively.

“Stealing was the most prevalent offence committed by both men and women. The number of men convicted in 2020 was 40,555, which declined in 2021 to 31,921 and increased to 44,477 in 2022.

“Similarly, the number of women admitted to prison for stealing in 2020 was 1,981, which decreased in both 2021 and 2022 to 1,320 and 1,272 respectively.”