SGBV is the acronym for Sexual and Gender Based Violence against women, children and in some cases, men. It is violence committed against a person because of his or her sex or gender. It is forcing another person to do something against his or her will, through violence, coercion, threats, deception, cultural expectation or economic means.
That sexual and gender based violence has assumed a frightening proportion is an understatement. However, the good news is that there is a flurry of activities involving national and international organizations to tackle the issue. These renewed efforts have attracted First Lady, Senator (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, with her Hope Renewed Initiative to confront and conquer this demon.
She declared in a recent Town Hall meeting held at the Lagos Central Senatorial District that: “My advice is that women, who are fortunate to rise to a position of power, influence or wealth must invest such in the commonwealth of women. Rather than join the ‘men’s club’ they must reach out and pull other women along. From the girl child to that young struggling graduate, that lady professional in between jobs, that woman who has to juggle domestic and professional duties and the women out there who badly need just one opportunity to prove that she is capable, truly need our help. In little or big doses, it does not matter, just do it. Because out there, women who can and will succeed on merit if given the chance”.
Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF), also gave a flicker of hope by setting up a flurry of activities in that direction. The two met recently and there is no doubt that areas of support and collaboration will take the front burner.
What is particular is that the menace of SGBV has assumed a monstrous proportion and should be stopped forthwith. Nothing will satisfy social and political observers more than seeing the implementation of the set of brilliant ideas that is expected to eradicate the crime within the shortest possible time. Anything that will signal the end of the road for perpetrators and redress for identified victims is welcomed.
This is like a reawakening of our collective consciousness and a wake-up call for everyone not only to align with this renewed initiative, but to contribute in any way possible to make the programme, one of resounding success.
Although majority of the victims and survivors are women, girls and boys, men have been known to be also affected. All forms of sexual and gender based violence including domestic violence, forced marriages, child marriage, physical violence, rape, molestation, genital mutilation, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, teenage pregnancy, incest, forced abortion and stalking, violate fundamental human rights. In addition, intentional bodily injury, slapping, punching, choking, kicking, shoving, inappropriately using drugs or physical restraints denying medical care, forcing alcohol and or drug use, including forced prostitution are not left out. Some of the identified causes have been traced to poverty, breakdown of services, conflicts and wars, displacement, stress at home especially the days of tension induced by financial pressures.
Some men have been known to raise their voices and sometimes flip over in times of acute financial difficulties; inability to meet up with intended expenses, increased debts and even unexpected dismissal from employment. In such cases, tempers boil over and may result to exchange of blows with spouses at home. There are stories of husbands and wives exchanging blows in broad daylight and even dragging themselves to public domain. Such is the magnitude of fury that can grip uncontrolled rage in most households!
Truly, when faced with no escape route at home with demanding situations, men could become assailants and do the unthinkable. But then, these are isolated cases; according to the International Labour Organization, the orientation of a culture or the shared belief within a sub-culture helps define the limits of tolerable behaviour. Social norms about the proper roles of each gender, the man perceived as aggressive, powerful, unemotional, acceptance as dominant; while women are perceived as passive, nurturing, submissive, emotionally weak and powerless. This socialization has resulted to an unequal power relationship. Most cultures do not tolerate women responding when men, perceived as the bread winners are talking; they consider that as affront and unfortunately may degenerate into exchange of fiery blows!
Recently videos have circulated of some men beating their wives to pulp and some rape incidences involving under-age. You even hear of what is called “gang-rape” which often results to murder. Add that to the increasing cases of child forced marriages with distressing footages of some of the victims trying to escape, then you will understand why the initiative of the First Lady and the SGBV Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice should be grabbed!
In case you do not know, this is a global pandemic that affects women in their lifetime. The numbers are staggering, while 35% of women are known to have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or the reverse; the most serious cases involving murders of women are also committed by intimate partners. One characteristic of gender based violence is that it knows no social or economic boundaries and affects women and girls from all socio-economic background. The issue needs to be addressed in both developing and developed countries. The consequences can be devastating to the victims.
The Oxfam Worldwide has launched the ‘Enough campaign to end violence against women and girls by bringing people of all genders, ages and background together to transform the normal; it aims to challenge and change the harmful social norm that justify abuse to ones that promote gender equality and non-violence saying “let’s stop thinking it is normal; every day, everywhere, all over the world, women and girls face violence; this can be changed; enough to violence against women and girls”. This is exactly what the First Lady, through her Renewed Hope Initiative has set out to do.
On October 6, the First Lady Remi Tinubu launched this programme to support women, children and youths in the country at the State House. The programme is targeted at vulnerable groups and primed to bring them closer to governance. The First Lady disclosed during the launching that the aim was to bring succour and relief to families when fully operational across the 36 states of the federation and FCT, meaning that better times are here for women!
It is expected that when fully operational, the Hope Renewed Initiative will among others, undertake full scale recovery and rehabilitation programmes such as campaign to raise awareness, promote women’s empowerment, challenge gender stereotypes, educate men and women on non-violence and equality topics as well as carry out rehabilitation programmes for perpetrators and victims. They will go a step further by encouraging legislation and enforcement of substances, and the mandatory adoption of safe and healthy habits.
Potential social responses to gender based violence are most effective when there is common understanding of the nature and causes of the crime, and is addressed from all angles through the participation of multiple sectors in the country. Luckily, the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Response Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice is already on it. The attorney general of the federation undertook the task of coordinating government actions, laws and policies in response to SGBV cases through the establishment of the unit in May 2021. Headed by Barrister Yewande Gbola Awopetu, the unit has the mandate to review and harmonize laws and policies on SGBV; provide access to justice for SGBV victims, survivors, through counselling, mediation, facilitation of settlement agreement and provision of all required legal services for victims. It is also to undertake capacity building and training for all legal officers handling SGBV cases, establishment of prosecution hubs, collation and processing of SGBV data records, reporting, monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Together with the Hope Renewed scheme, they can mount a sustainable fight against the malaise by organizing capacity building for judges and relevant stakeholders.
- Oyofo is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja
