Coping With the Consequences of Violence: Niger Delta Women and The Praxis of Survival

The Niger delta region has become a theatre of violence and political conflicts over the years. This has been attributed to environmental degradation due largely to oil exploration and utter neglect by successive government in Nigeria. A major consequence of this development has been formation of violent groups, leading to clashes between militants and security operatives. By convention, men, in most traditional societies, serve as bread winners of households and thus are responsible for the care of families. Thus, the incessant killings, maiming and absence of Niger Delta men, due to violent activities have tended to shift the family responsibilities to their women. Using a case study of Oloibiri community in Ogbia local government of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, this study investigates how the women cope with the consequences of the violence and the effects of men involvement in violent conflict on family welfare. The study finds that the petty trade and agricultural activities are the main strategies of survival adopted by the Niger-delta women. Also, much as there are negative impacts of violent in the region, men involvements in violent improve family welfare and responsibilities are shifted to women. It is thus suggested that government should take steps in ending the violent and also provide incentives that can propel women empowerment in the region.