Introspecting beyond the Hijab and Jellabiya in Muslim Communities: Awareness of Sexual Violence Against Muslim Women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

---

Chidera Stephnie Uwaeme

---

This study examines sexual violence in Nigerian Muslim communities with a focus on how clothing and lifestyles regarding hijab and the jellabiya traditions influence the experiences of women who wear them. It is a common misconception that Muslim women are not susceptible to sexual violence because of their modest sense of dress, and as such, the sexual violence they face has not been given enough attention. I set this investigation in the Muslim communities of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria, and include Muslim women who wear the hijab and jellabiya through in-depth interviews, observations, and a review of relevant literature. The findings of this study show that the wearing of the hijab and jellabiya, while seen as a shield or a means of preventing sexual violence for women, is not a guarantee as Muslim women suffer various forms of sexual violence despite adhering to their hijab and jellabiya. This study advocates that more awareness is needed to encourage Muslim women to speak out so that, together, sexual violence can be eradicated in our society.