The 21 Released Chibok Girls Might Face Stigmatisation - UNICEF

President Buhari and Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo in a group photo with the 21 freed Chibok Girls after receiving them at the State House

The 21 released girls from Cgibok along with other female victims of Boko Haram may become pariahs in their own communites

“People are also often afraid the girls have been indoctrinated by Boko Haram.” 

UNICEF insist intensive support to rebuild their lives and reintegrate them into society.

When it seems that their nightmare was over, the 21 Chibok girls rescued last week from Boko Haram terrorists face new challenges as they may be disowned by their communities, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representatives fear. 

The organisation stated that the recent release of the girls and reunification with their families indicate the need for providing intensive support to women and girls who had been held by the group. 

According to the fund, the girls can become victims of stigmatisation resulting from their association with Boko Haram. 

Stigma 

Gianfranco Rotigliano, the representative of UNICEF in Nigeria said: 

“The release is great news and we are delighted to see the girls back with their families, but we must keep pressing for all the women and children held by Boko Haram to be freed. We must bear in mind that all of those who have been held by Boko Haram will face a long and difficult process to rebuild their lives after the indescribable trauma they have suffered. Frequently, returning to their families and communities is the beginning of a new ordeal for the girls, as the sexual violence they have suffered often results in stigmatisation.

People are also often afraid the girls have been indoctrinated by Boko Haram and that they pose a threat to their communities. The use by Boko Haram of children – mostly girls – as so called ‘suicide’ bombers has fuelled such fears. Children born as a result of the sexual violence are at even greater risk of rejection, abandonment and violence.”

 Rape and torture under the guise of forced marriages

 “The girls report they have been subjected to rape – frequently in the form of forced “marriages” – beatings, intimidation and starvation during their captivity. Many returned pregnant or with babies as a result of rape.

When they do reach safety, girls who have been held by Boko Haram are often ill, malnourished, traumatised and exhausted; they are in need of medical attention and psycho-social support so they can begin to come to terms with their experiences and reintegrate with their families and communities.” 

Today, on Wednesday, October 19, President Muhammadu Buhari has received the 21 Chibok school girls and their parents in the State House, Abuja.

In a statement via Femi Adesina, the senior special assistant on media and publicity, the president said: “They have seen the worst that the world has to offer. It is now time for them to experience the best.” 

Recall that the girls had been freed by Boko Haram after negotiations between the group and the Nigerian government brokered by International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss government.

On 16 October, President Buhari’s spokesperson stated that the ISIL-allied faction of Boko Haram was willing to negotiate the release of 83 more of the girls.

- naij.com