Every year, the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence begins on November 25 and ends December 10. The theme of this year’s activism is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”
The 16 Days is very important this year. Data from several countries show rising cases of gender-based violence due to city lockdowns which have placed victims and oppressors in close proximity. A report by Voice of America shows that COVID-19 is increasing the incidence of gender-based violence in the U.S.; Russia; Mexico; and Malawi.
The situation in Nigeria is not different – a COVID-19 lockdown leads to an increase in sexual and gender violence, according to investigations by the Pulitzer Centre. Sadly, the United Nations documentedmore than 3600 cases of rapes during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria.
The work of the Women’s Crisis Centre in Umuaka community, southeast Nigeria, reveals new information on gender-based violence and factors which perpetuate these brutal acts. In her role as the Program Manager at the Women Crisis Centre, Lolo conducted focus group discussions to learn the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors around violence against women.
Women leaders said that mothers choose to sell their daughters into marriages because they are full-time housewives who are unable to financially take care of their children. They also view the act as a show of love and concern – means one less mouth to feed and the married daughter even contributes to the upkeep of her siblings
The result shows abuse of cultural practices, use of child marriage as a means to escape poverty, and husbands’ use of threat of divorce to perpetuate violence against women. Indeed, it is clear that violence against women and girls continued during and after the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria.
One topic that came up was around masquerades which are a very important part of the Igbo culture for men as they are regarded as an extension of Igbo ancestors. Even during COVID-19 restrictions, such festivals continued occurring in villages.
During them, females are forbidden from so much as looking masquerades in the face while the men are given the liberty to dance, flog, and demand money from the observers. Some young men who wear the masquerade costumes use its sacred nature to intimidate females who had previously refused their advances.
‘I was flogged and cut with a cutlass by one of the masquerades. He threatened me a few days before the festival because I refused his sexual advances… He told me that he would deal with me in due time… My body was heavily bruised’, said one focus group participant.
Much of the violence relayed during the focus group is related to poverty as Nigeria is the world’s poverty capital. Eighty-seven million Nigerians live in extreme poverty. The difficulty for families to care for their children pushes them to give away their daughters as minors in marriages.
Women leaders said that mothers choose to sell their daughters into marriages because they are full-time housewives who are unable to financially take care of their children. They also view the act as a show of love and concern – means one less mouth to feed and the married daughter even contributes to the upkeep of her siblings. Shockingly men are absolved from being complicit in this act. Instead, girls and their mothers are to blame by community members.
‘These small small girls – 13 and 14 year old’s… … ..they are so spoilt nowadays. All they want is money and fancy things. I see them on motorcycles with these 19-year old boys. They are always rubbing each other in public”, said one focus group participant.
At Umuaka Village, the pride of a woman is her husband. Indeed, marital status dictates how she is treated in the community. Women leaders said domestic violence cases are “resolved” at homes because if the victim reports to the police, she is viewed as bringing shame to her family.
‘You can see a woman with bruises in the station today reporting her husband … when the husband is arrested, he threatens to divorce her and she immediately drops the case’, said a police officer in the focus group.
‘The men are afraid of the law and their crimes, so they know what to say to make the women powerless… because she knows that men are scarce. Who wants to be divorced or have a husband in prison because his wife sent him there? It’s a big shame’, the police officer explained further.
These acts of violence should not be allowed to continue, even if some people seem resigned to them. These are four ways the Women Crisis Centre is intervening to reduce the incidence of violence against women based on the focus group findings:
First, government and civil society organisations must begin to engage with the traditional leaders at Umuaka to remove flogging as part of Owoh masquerade celebrations. Victims of violence should be encouraged to report to authorities when their rights are violated.
Second, ensure women are economically empowered and can earn their wages. Already, Women Crisis Centre is providing unconditional cash grants for women to start their own businesses. In addition, they are taught financial literacy with a focus on how to save and open their personal bank accounts, as most of the women rely on their children or husband’s bank account.
Third, it takes a community to prevent violence against women. Therefore, the Women Crisis Centre is already working with traditional leaders, churches and the private sector to educate women of their rights and how to seek redress when their rights are violated.
Fourth, engage with the Umuaka community to consider girl-child education as a form of poverty alleviation. Every girl-child must be enrolled in school.
COVID-19 has worsened violence against women and girls. It also provides a good opportunity to push for reforms to end it. Talking to the community directly can provide guidance on where to start.
Comments
You don at have to remind Air Max fans, the good people of New Orleans. Silvana Jasper Cocke
Wise words by Arundhati Roy. And such a contrast to the swans and the haiku. Beautifully put together. Agathe Fran Lathe
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. Vivienne Hercule Olatha
Thanks for this great article! It has been extremely useful. I wish that you will proceed posting your knowledge with me. Petronia Fairlie Clayborne
If some one wishes expert view regarding blogging and site-building after that i propose him/her to visit this webpage, Keep up the pleasant job. Vonni Kale Maxine
This is one awesome article post. Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing. Chiarra Brendan Chladek
I think this is a real great blog post. Really looking forward to read more. Really Great. Juana Garek Olivia
Regards for this post, I am a big fan of this site would like to continue updated. Muire Claudio Kahler
Article writing is also a excitement, if you be acquainted with afterward you can write or else it is difficult to write. Jere Thurstan Zoila
Major thankies for the blog article. Thanks Again. Cool. Amil Estevan Danit
That would be the end of this write-up. Here you will find some web sites that we assume you will enjoy, just click the links. Daisi Jonas Erlandson
Thank you. Let me know how you apply and send me your feed-back. Edi Mattheus Wenonah
Good article! We are linking to this great content on our website. Keep up the great writing. Leigh Jordan Gregorius
I enjoy reading an article that will make men and women think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment. Mame Conny Wiersma
You made some nice points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most people will consent with your website. Darlene Ambrosius Rory
Very good blog article. Really thank you! Fantastic. Talyah Jacobo Haas
Hello colleagues, its great article regarding tutoringand completely defined, keep it up all the time. Roana Burt Jones
I blog often and I seriously thank you for your content. Gerda Stanly Tarah
Es ist definitiv viesl zu kennen Thema. Ich liebe alle vorgenommenen. Arda Seymour Raybin
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of the website is also very good. Orella Jaime Olive
Hi, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am also glad to share my know-how here with mates. Sonnnie Curtice Stav
That is really fascinating, You are an overly skilled blogger. June Rowan Monto
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this site is actually pleasant. Shanda Kasper Dibbrun
Hello, yes this piece of writing is actually fastidious and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks. Rozanne Emanuele Claus
You made some nice points there. I did a search on the topic and found most guys will go along with with your site. Estella Tracey Boy
Here is a great Weblog You might Uncover Interesting that we encourage you to visit. Analiese Chariot Ellord
Wow! In the end I got a blog from where I be able to in fact get valuable facts regarding my study and knowledge. Robby Osbert McIntyre
There is certainly a lot to learn about this topic. I really like all the points you have made. Jodee Agosto Evelin
Always a huge fan of linking to bloggers that I like but do not get lots of link love from. Pru Iver Lathan
You made some nice points there. I did a search on the matter and found the majority of persons will consent with your blog. Karrah Raimundo Bonis
Danke fuer die schoene Zeit hier. Macht weiter so. Da kommt man gerne wieder vorbei. Arabela Terrill Giza Perl Trefor Bondy
Its not my first time to visit this web page, i am visiting this web page dailly and get fastidious information from here everyday. Darda Thorpe Ferro
Very good post. I absolutely love this website. Stick with it! Vicki Reinaldo Daniella
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Danna Randolph Gerger
I definitely wanted to compose a simple word so as to appreciate you for all of the superb facts you are posting at this site. My prolonged internet investigation has finally been compensated with extremely good content to go over with my co-workers. I would believe that most of us visitors are truly fortunate to live in a really good place with many perfect professionals with insightful concepts. I feel pretty happy to have come across your website page and look forward to plenty of more awesome times reading here. Thanks a lot once again for all the details. Leila Larry Asa
wow, awesome blog. Really looking forward to read more. Really Great. Ivie Franz Gayla
Hey, thanks for the blog article. Much thanks again. Fantastic. Coral Jessey Abdulla Paige Bo Meill
A big thank you for your post. Thanks Again. Much obliged. Mair Barton Belinda
You have made some decent points there. I looked on the web for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site. Gerri Ignazio Phylys