Gendering Counter-Terrorism: Kunya and the Silencing of Male Victims of CRSV in Northeastern Nigeria

As the silence of male CRSV victims continues to be debated, some argue that gender norms and a lack of agency contribute to the silence of victims, even as others assert that victims exercise agency by speaking selectively about their experiences. In northern Nigeria, the concept of kunya—a model f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	African studies review 2023-12, Vol.66 (4), p.949-966
Main Authors:	Njoku, Emeka Thaddues, Dery, Isaac
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Counterterrorism Ethnography Gender Gender roles Heteronormativity Humanitarianism International relations Interviews Males Patriarchy Secrecy Silence Terrorism Victimization Victims Violence
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	As the silence of male CRSV victims continues to be debated, some argue that gender norms and a lack of agency contribute to the silence of victims, even as others assert that victims exercise agency by speaking selectively about their experiences. In northern Nigeria, the concept of kunya—a model for appropriate behaviour rooted in the importance of secrecy and discretion—plays a role in the silencing of victims. We examine how kunya contributes to the invisibility of victims and influences their silence, as well as how victims use silence to gain social tolerability and/or protect themselves from re-victimization. We argue that an attentiveness to such community-specific cultural precepts and norms can further our understanding of the silence (and silencing) of victims and survivors.
ISSN:	0002-0206 1555-2462