Traditional Practices Recognized as Violence Against Women and Girls: The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities

Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji, PhD & Elda Nduka Okolo-Obasi, MSc | September 22 | 11:15 am-12:15 pm

Topic: Research, International | Knowledge Level: Advanced

The presenters examine the impact of multinational oil companies’ (MOCs’) corporate social responsibility (CSR) on traditional practices recognized as violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Nigeria’s oil region. Results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that MOCs’ CSR play a significant role in empowering women and girls with information and education to protect their human rights. This implies that CSR offers an opportunity for MOCs to help address prevalence of child early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, sex trafficking, virginity testing, and taboos through a business case for stakeholders’ human right protection. The purpose of this presentation is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on the fight against VAWG in the oil-producing communities of Niger Delta region.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Analyze the level of MOCs’ CSR investment in policy dialogue and advocacy to deter violence against women and girls in Niger Delta, Nigeria

·  Examine the impact of multinational oil companies GMoUs on reducing the rate of child early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, sex trafficking, virginity testing, and nutritional taboos in Nigeria

·  Determine the consequences of ending violence against women and girls in Niger Delta, Nigeria

About the Presenters