Fuel Subsidy Removal, Domestic Violence And Hunger Among Elderly Persons In Nigeria
Godwin Etta Odok, Etako Linda Onyayi, Madugu Doris Lami, Nuhu Gani Allahnana
Keywords: Domestic violence, hunger, perpetrators, elderly persons, fuel subsidy
Abstract
Since the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria, older or elderly persons in Nigeria have expressed concern over the rising costs of living which aggravate hunger and precarious feeding habits among them. Through the lens of the social contract theory of social security, this paper examines fuel subsidy removal induced-hunger as both a human right and public health issue. Evidence for the paper emerged through a systematic review of literature involving accounts of hunger and domestic violence against elderly persons due to fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. The study’s findings revealed that the fuel subsidy removal policy in Nigeria aggravated elderly persons’ ability to eat healthily due to high cost of living. Findings also showed that both male and female elderly persons aged 65 years and above, experienced traumatizing adversity and hunger since the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. The study concludes that there is poor eating habit among elderly persons in Nigeria since the removal of fuel subsidy and this culminates to domestic violence against them. The study recommends that there is need for better support and care for elderly persons in Nigeria by family members, friends and governments at all levels in this era of fuel subsidy removal.
Author Biography
Godwin Etta Odok, Etako Linda Onyayi, Madugu Doris Lami & Nuhu Gani Allahnana
Department of Sociology, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]