RAPE, COVID-19 AND LOCKDOWN: SEXUAL VIOLATION AND CORONAVIRUS AS A TWO-EDGED PANDEMIC IN NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER NARRATIVES

Abstract

With the intrusion of the Covid-19 pandemic into the Nigerian scene, there has been a surge in gender-based violence in society coupled with the lockdown experience. Rape, one of the gender-based violence against women, is endemic and seems to be encouraged due to the complacency of governmental establishments. This paper examines the execution of the rule of law in Nigeria through government and official parastatals in curbing this menace within the Nigerian space. Laws against rape, many insist, are not deterrent enough and have fueled a pervading culture of silence. In recourse to this view, this paper utilizes the feminism theory to interpret the oppression faced by women/females and the ineffectiveness of the rule of law in Nigeria. The study provides a critical and literary analysis of narratives culled from Nigeria Newspapers and some social media platforms to investigate the two-edged pandemic of Covid-19 and rape.The paper concludes that the Nigerian government/ judicial system need to be accountable to its citizenry in implementing rape laws. Also, law enforcement officials must be educated on treating rape issues. Furthermore, the populace should be sensitized against victimizing rape victims.