Domestic Violence and Women’s Rights in Rural Kano: Legal Frameworks and Enforcement Gaps

This research investigates the legal frameworks governing domestic violence against women in rural Kano State and examines the enforcement gaps that perpetuate violations of women's human rights. Nigeria's Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 and Kano State's domestic legislation provide formal protections, yet implementation remains inadequate, particularly in rural communities where cultural norms, poverty, and institutional weaknesses intersect. The study employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on structured interviews with survivors, civil society representatives, and law enforcement officers across five local government areas in Kano's rural belt. The theoretical framework draws on feminist legal theory and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified by Nigeria in 1985. Findings reveal that the majority of domestic violence cases go unreported due to fear of social stigma, economic dependence on abusers, and distrust of law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, police officers demonstrate limited training on gender-sensitive responses to domestic violence complaints. The study recommends the establishment of gender desks in all rural police stations, community-based awareness campaigns, and enhanced collaboration between law enforcement and civil society organizations. This research provides empirical grounding for policy advocacy targeting rural women's access to justice in Northwest Nigeria. Keywords: domestic violence, women's rights, VAPP Act, Kano State, rural communities.