GENDER AND CRIMINALITY IN NIGERIA: INSIGHTS ON WOMEN INVOLVEMENT IN SELECTED FELONY RELATED CRIMES IN RIVERS STATE

The subtle role of women in felony related crimes has continued to pose problems for society especially with regard to reporting and data collection for research purposes. This notwithstanding, gender perspectives on crime remain an interesting and topical issue today. It is on this premise that this study examined the issue of gender and criminality in Nigeria with specific focus on women’s involvement in selected felony related crimes such as armed robbery, drug abuse, kidnapping and murder in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The main objective was to provide empirical evidence concerning the key drivers and level of women involvement in the selected crimes. Therefore, relying on the philosophy of the Strain/Anomie theory and relevant analytical tools such as the simple percentage, chi-square statistical test (χ2) and relevant descriptive models, the study revealed that socioeconomic conditions such as previous association with male criminal boyfriends, unemployment and poverty are significant drivers of women’s involvement in the selected felony related crimes in the study area. However, it was also found that among the four felonies investigated, women have moderate involvement in armed robbery and murder, with low involvement in kidnapping. The only felony where women have high involvement is drug abuse. Given this finding, the study suggests, among others, that a well-designed sensitization programme aimed at educating women on getting involved in the selected felony crimes, should be embarked upon in addition to State policies aimed at addressing unemployment and poverty in Port Harcourt city.