Nigeria: The unknown fate of thousands of abducted women and girls

| April 25, 2016

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Two years ago, Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls. While 57 escaped, 219 are still missing. Those girls who have been freed often face rejection from their families and communities, as well as the challenge of recovering from their traumatic experience.

One girl reported that she was told, “You are a Boko Haram wife; don’t come near us.”

Leila Zerrougui is the UN special representative of the secretary-general for children and armed conflict. On the anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, Ms. Zerrougui said, “It is up to us to be their voice and give them back the life they deserve.”

The threat of abduction remains all too common in Nigeria’s conflict-affected northeastern communities. According to senior UN officials, up to 7,000 women and girls in the area may be living in abduction and sex slavery.

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Photo credit: IPS