THE EFFECT OF HERDER-FARMER’S CONFLICT ON THE FEMALE GENDER IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Ojoduwa, Friday Joseph
Volume 12 Issue 3

Abstract

Conflict is inherent in all human society and has been a matter of concern to social and political thinkers. It’s the responsibility of government to protect and secure the lives and property of the people. Security in any society can be achieved in an atmosphere devoid of threats to lives and properties of the people. This study therefore, examines the effect of herder-farmer’s conflict on the female gender in Benue state, Nigeria. The study relied heavily on secondary sources of data such as Books, Journals, Magazines, Newspapers and other internet materials. The study therefore, adopts conflict theory as theoretical framework of analysis. Based on the analysis carried out, the followings were revealed: The various effects of the farmer-herder conflicts on female gender in Benue State include, the killing of women, rape, early marriages, their livelihoods are destroyed (crops, animals and other items), they experience posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSDs), they are socially dislocation and separation from their husbands and other relations and their economic activities such as farming, trading are destroyed among others. The study therefore, recommends that, the Federal government should find a way of mediating and reconciling the issues igniting conflicts between herders and farmers through the introduction of cattle ranches to reduce migration and free grazing of farm land which will create room for more conflicts in Benue State. The government should provide free education and make it compulsory for all children especially the girls to enable them compete favourably with their male counterpart in Benue State. The community leaders, Fulani leaders in the affected areas, and parents should be conscientized on the importance of education to every child and the need to enroll their wards in school. This would afford the female gender equal opportunity with the male, and in turn discourages early marriages which make them more vulnerable in conflict situations. Keywords: Herders, Farmers, Conflict, Gender, Women, Sex.

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