Economic abuse against women working in the formal and informal sectors in Warri, Nigeria

Fawole Olufunmilayo, University of Ibadan
Agwai Celia, University of Ibadan

This study compared the prevalence and correlates of economic abuse (EA) against women working in Warri, Nigeria. A comparative cross-sectional survey of 680 women (340 formal (FS) and 340 informal sectors (IS) each) was done. Prevalence of EA in the FS (59.4%) and IS (55.9%) was not statistically different (p=0.4). The commonest forms of EA experienced by women were ‘partner’s refusing to contribute to family upkeep’ (FS: 26.5%) and ‘unequal job opportunities’ (IS: 29.1%). Perpetrator were mainly partners (FS-78.2%) and touts (IS-32.6%). In the FS, women from non-indigenous ethnic groups were at greater risk (OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 2.4-9.9) of abuse. In the IS, women with higher levels of education (secondary OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-3.9 and tertiary OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 9.1-12.1) were at higher risk than those with primary or no education. There is the need for worksite education and regulations to stop EA.