Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

This study analyses the relationship between sexual violence against women, conceptualized as rape and slavery, and armed conflict driven by religious as well as ethnic reasons. The gender and sex world view prevalent in Africa drives this abuse of women in war time. Gayle Rubin calls this sex/gender system one that favors men and revolves around a hierarchy that advantages men over women. This is given expression by fighters in war time, especially in crimes against women. The rape therefore effectively served as a punishment and a threat to adversaries to leave the area (Barkindo et al 2013: 23). We theorize that religious beliefs drive sexual violence against women during conflicts. Boko Haram in Nigeria is a case study here. A common pattern in many conflicts globally is sexual violence against women, but why and how this is deployed as a strategy in religious conflict is the question. The variation in frequency between these attacks in religious conflict and ethnic conflicts is also studied in different countries. By understanding the ideology that informs their strategy, international intervention can be guided for prevention. It can hopefully be useful for policy framing, design, and implementation in managing this human security issue globally.