Counter-Terrorism Measures to Protect Women and Girls in Nigeria

Abstract

Terrorism is a serious threat to peace, security and development in Nigeria, and the effects of terrorism are not gender neutral. Women and girls in the north-east have faced abduction, forced marriage, sexual violence, forced recruitment, displacement, stigma and long term social and economic exclusion. This article examines whether Nigeria's counter-terrorism framework, adequately protects women and girls against these gendered harms. It uses a doctrinal approach and examines the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, the National Security Strategy, the Women, Peace and Security framework, and international and African legal standards. Secondary dats is used only to contextualise the legal analysis. The article argues that Nigeria has significantly strengthened institutional coordination, criminalisation and prosecution, but the framework remains less developed in relation to enforceable gender-responsive duties of prevention, survivor protection, rehabilitation, reparation and reintegration. It further argues that women and girls should not be viewed only as passive victims. They may be survivors, coerced associates, returnees, community actors or, in some cases, voluntary participants, requiring individualised and rights-based responses. The article recommends an explicit gender-protection framework within counter-terrorism law and policy, stronger victim participation and legal aid, trauma-informed rehabilitation, reparations, age-sensitive safeguards for girls, and measurable accountability standards for implementation.