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Category: Gender

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Promoting Women’s Empowerment Through Peer Education

Through years of working on projects at the community level, we realize that women and girls are hugely disadvantaged. They have often been marginalized and segregated to the background on so many fronts in society. Especially politically and economically. We also observe that this marginalization has created a false consciousness in most women. 

Women are now satisfied with the status quo of swallowing their thoughts and ideas when it is clear that their input will make the difference. One of the primary reasons for marginalization is the inequality between men and women in accessing and controlling resources. But even more shocking is that in many communities, women don’t even have control over reproduction. 

The goal is to create an equal society where men and women can speak, and their voices matter. To see a world where women, youth, and children can develop in a politically and socioeconomically correct environment. Where gender equality is prioritized, and women have complete control over their resources and time. 

And as such South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, seeks to foster women’s empowerment through peer education. This initiative aims to advocate for women’s rights and bridge women’s capacity deficiency at the community level. As well as meet the political, social, and economic needs of women. 

Peer Education Program

A peer education program is a scheme that involves people being taught by facilitators of similar backgrounds. This way, the message is easily absorbed, and the facilitator can communicate clearly on the same wavelength as the participant.

The program was facilitated by Osamudiamen Owens-Akinwale, Advisor Local Rights Programme, ActionAid Nigeria. The training was executed using the Women Peer Education Resource Kit. It covered essential areas such as personal development, health, livelihood and survival, and inclusion. The women were taught the importance of body image, self-esteem, time management, hygiene, skill acquisition, and the dangers of gender-based violence.   

The women’s peer education program was organized in Isiama Community, Oduma Achara, Aninri LGA, Enugu state. The intention is for the training to be cascaded down to other women in the community through the trained representatives. 

Correcting Wrong Notions

“I learned about how to care for the elderly and the importance of child spacing. I also learned that we have the right to stand and contest for election.” – Obodo Victoria. 

Women were better informed of their rights and responsibilities after the training. They were taught valuable life and soft skills to help them be more efficient in their homes and businesses. 

“Before, we believed that if a woman is not circumcised, she would be very promiscuous. I also didn’t see the need for a woman to undergo a cesarean section. But now, I know that female genital mutilation is dangerous to the sexual health of a woman. And that if a woman has labor difficulties that last too long without help, it can be really dangerous.” A woman from Isiama Community.

Importantly, we see that beyond the women learning about their rights, wrong notions which have been held on to for a long time were corrected. Now, the women have the right foundation to build on and groom young girls.  

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SSDO Commemorates International Women’s Day

South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) Organizes a Workshop through its Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI) to Commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day

THEME: Strengthening Local Institutions’ Capacity to Combat Gender-based Violence(GBV). 

A report on the Sister Guardian Initiative Workshop held on the 8th of March 2022 on “Strengthening Local Institutions’ Capacity to Combat Gender-Based Violence”. 

Introduction 

The Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI) is a South Saharan Social Development Organization‘s flagship project on reducing violence against women at the community level. The initiative provides the immediate support that female victims of violence require— safety, counseling, mediation, and referrals to other relevant agencies as the case may demand. The SGI is presently in 17 communities across Enugu and Anambra states. 

International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate women’s socioeconomic, cultural, and political achievement. It is also a unique opportunity for women to rally and advocate for equal treatment and representation. Since the inception of the SGI in 2016, SSDO has organised an educational event geared towards women’s empowerment. This year was no different as a workshop was held to create more awareness on the effect of gender-based violence and rally relevant stakeholders on the need to enforce GBV laws.

The workshop featured participants drawn from 15 communities where the initiative has been executed. They include traditional rulers, President Generals, women leaders, government representatives and a representative of the Gender Unit Desk Officer of the Enugu State Police Headquarters. 

Objectives 

  • Highlight the effect of gender-based violence on women and the community. 
  • Educating the audience on GBV laws. 
  • Developing actionable steps and strategies for better synergy between the Sister Guardian leaders and relevant stakeholders—traditional rulers and Police. 

The project lead, Blessing Uchendu, was on the ground to detail the project’s journey thus far. “Since its inception, the chapters have supported over 1300 victims with counselling, conflict mitigation, temporary shelter and referrals to law enforcement or health facilities.” 

Going forward, she also explained the plans of the project. “To achieve more with the project, we have to keep advocating for community leaders to understand the effect of GBV and partner with the Sister Guardians to resolve cases efficiently as well as capacity building.” 

“It is also important that by-laws are enforced. This would dissuade perpetrators from abusing victims. We also believe that a working synergy between the Sister Guardians and the Police will give more credence to the effort of the women leaders.” 

A documentary that captures the success of the initiative was also viewed. Helping the audience better understand the effects of gender-based violence on the victims and the community. It also showed victims sharing their stories and how the initiative helped them. It detailed the project’s successes across different communities and its plans going forward. 

Mr Larry Oguego, National Coordinator, Human Rights Volunteer Corps of Nigeria, the lead speaker of the event, presented a paper on “Preventing Sexual and Gender-based Violence: How Community Leaders and Stakeholders Can Leverage the Law to Drive Change.” He analysed the various laws that address GBV issues, the roles of community leaders and stakeholders, and how they can be the voice of advocacy.

Recommendations 

The following recommendations were proposed during the workshop to reduce GBV: 

  • Schools should include Gender equality and other gender-related issues in the school curriculum. 
  • Cascading the workshop to town hall meetings in various communities, the message reaches the grassroots. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the highlight of the conference emphasized the importance and the role of local institutions in combating gender-based violence. When laws are upheld by the community leaders and enforced by the Police, there will be a drastic reduction in GBV cases. Perpetrators will be dissuaded from continuing the atrocious acts of violence against women. 

The outcome of this conference saw a more enlightened audience know their rights, know the effect of GBV on victims and the community. It also created a linkage and opportunities for collaboration between sister guardian leaders and relevant stakeholders.   

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International Day of The Girl Child

International Day of The Girl Child

The girl child faces different challenges associated with their gender and age. In many developing countries, the girl child is often at a huge disadvantage. Data from UNICEF shows that 6.3 million girls in Nigeria are out of school. UNESCO indicates that less than 40% of countries worldwide provide girls and boys with equal access to information. 

The longer girls are out of school, the higher the probability of child marriages and violence against children. Educating the girl child improves their earning potential and helps them have a say in decisions that affect their future. It improves the economy and reduces inequality. 

The better-educated girls are, the better their family and the community becomes, as they will be direct beneficiaries of the skills they will contribute to society. 

What Is The Day About?

The International Day of the Girl Child is a day set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness of the challenges that girls face all around the world. It is also a time to celebrate the wins and reinforce the achievements of girls the world over. 

When Is It Celebrated?

It holds every year, October 11.  

Why Do We Celebrate The International Day of The Girl Child?

Educating the girl child isn’t just about access to schools, but helping them feel safe and showing them how to navigate their way around their chosen professions. Sadly, in Nigeria, 30% of girls aged 9-12 have never been to school at all. The nation also accounts for about 45% of the out-of-school children in West Africa. 

The International Day of the Girl Child is a good time to remind us that issues like poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence, which are underlying causes, are still far from being subjugated in Nigeria. 

History of the International Day of The Girl Child

On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly reached a resolution to make October 11 the International Day of the Girl Child to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges the girl child faces around the world. The aim is to gather worldwide support for goals that will help better the lives of girls, provide leadership opportunities and help them reach their full potential. 

The team for the observance has a new theme each year:

2012 – Ending Child Marriage

2013 – Innovating for girls education

2014 – Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence. 

2015 – The Power of Adolescent Girls: Visions for 2030. 

2016 – Girls Progress = Goals Progress: What Counts For Girls. 

2017 – Empower Girls: Before, During, and After Crisis. 

2018 – With Her; A Skilled Girl Force. 

2019 – Girl Force: Unscripted and Unstoppable.

2020 – My Voice, Our Equal Future. 

2021 – Digital Generation, Our Generation.   

Impact That Matters

South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) is playing its part and through the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) project, 75 girls have been enrolled in school. Providing an opportunity for them to reach their full potential. This has been one of our key focus areas as an organization. Ensuring the development of women and children through our various projects. 

SSDO Kids and Adolescent Club Helps Girls Stay in School

SSDO runs a kids’ club in some catchment areas where we work, Nkanu East, Nkanu West, and Enugu South LGAs. These clubs help the kids know more about their rights, share experiences, and talk about issues that bother them in a non-hostile environment. 

The club also helps them build leadership capacity and learn how to take responsibility. This way, they know when to speak up at home, school, or the community. The kids learn basic life skills necessary for surviving in different spheres of life. They learn time management, how to effectively balance chores and studies, creating a to-do list and a work timetable. 

The club presents an opportunity for the facilitators to correct wrong gender notions, such as gender role bias. Teaching the kids that any ambition or career path they choose is valid. Facilitators show them the practical side of their chosen career through games and illustrations. Importantly, they learn about their rights, child abuse, how and where to report these issues should they arise. 

The aim of the club is to groom children who know their rights and are equipped with important life skills, such as critical thinking, perspective-taking, handling challenges, and maintaining good health. 

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Tackling Child Abuse and Sexual Harassment through community mechanisms

Research carried out by UNICEF in 2015 shows that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys in Nigeria have experienced sexual violence before the age of 18. With the drastic increase in the rate of violence against women and girls during the lockdown, you can be sure these numbers have increased. Before the pandemic, one in three women experiences physical violence by a partner. 

According to a report by the Center for Global Development, violence against women and children quadrupled during the pandemic. Children have always been a target for pedophiles because of their innocence and vulnerability. Often, these predators ride on the naivety of the children and compel them not to talk. Many of who live with the guilt for the rest of their life. 

Sometimes, the children blame themselves for the incident or, in some other cases, care for their abusers and do not want them to get into trouble. It is imperative that parents and guardians are very observant and pay close attention to behavioral patterns in their wards. Signs to look out for include children being aggressive, withdrawn, clingy, or having difficulties sleeping. 

Some children suddenly become very wary and avoid specific people for no obvious reason. Others might illicit inappropriate sexual behaviors not expected of someone of that age. The child might also sustain a physical injury in the genital area. Children who are experiencing neglect and disabled children are at a higher risk of being abused.  

These experiences result in guilt, anxiety, fear, and depression that could have a lasting effect on their future if not well handled. Understanding this situation, South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) in partnership with Caritas Nigeria under the OVC project created a Child Protection Committee (CPC).

This committee comprises lawyers, social workers, healthcare officials, police officers, case managers, and children. The community-based committee works to protect the rights of children and is equipped to address issues of child rights violations. In the case of any violation, they’re on hand in the community to take up such cases and ensure the child gets the best attention. The unique composition of the group makes them sufficient to tackle various issues. 

When abused children need psychological support, the social workers are on hand to provide it. In the instance of physical altercations, the healthcare officials take over. And when abusers need to be dealt with according to the law, law enforcement officials and lawyers are also a part of the committee and do just that. 

For efficient role delivery, SSDO organized training sessions on sexual exploitation and child abuse management. Subject experts enlightened the professionals on how best to prevent child sexual abuse and how to effectively work seamlessly as a team to manage any such issues.   

The Need for the Child Protection Committee

Education on Sexuality

The committee members are trained on a range of topics that will make them effective first responders. They were trained on how to identify vulnerable children, how to be of help, and how to appropriately escalate issues. In this way, they will be better positioned to help parents understand the need to teach their wards sex education. This way, kids know the danger signs and can react accordingly. Abusers thrive on the naivety of the kids. If kids are taught how to respond, perpetrators’ activities will reduce. 

Accelerated Child Abuse Litigation

Evil thrives when the culprit assumes they will get away with the act. When abusers are prosecuted immediately after been convicted, it will serve as a deterrent to those who might be nursing such evil ambition. This is one thing, the committee looks to provide. With proper legal representation by lawyers, identified cases will be immediately handed over to the security officials and followed up to ensure justice is served. 

Offers Professional Help

Victims usually repress thoughts of the abuse. For some, this often leads to depression or aggressive behavior towards the opposite gender. Some suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. However, with the right professional guidance by the team of social workers, and healthcare officials, children can look to have a better future. 

Education At The Core

The committee is designed to help raise awareness on child abuse and sexual harassment. This way, in the long run, such cases can be prevented. Affording children the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment. They are also equipped to handle issues when they arise. Helping the kids live life the best way possible barring any health or mental issues that may mar their future.  

For many of these kids, they need to be guided to channel their energy to more rewarding and satisfying activities such as sports, exercise, and extra-curricular activities. And in the fullness of time, their past will truly become history. Then they can live out their full potential.   

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SGI & August Meeting: The Intersection between Women’s Rights and Community Development

The mother’s congress, popularly known as August Meeting, is officially recognized in Igboland as a time when Igbo women in the diaspora and different parts of the federation return to their indigenous communities. It is a time earmarked for community development. Women embark on different community projects such as healthcare outreaches and sensitization. 

Beyond community development, this meeting has provided an opportunity for these women to tackle more pressing issues that affect women such as conflict management, human development, and women’s inclusion in politics. Over the years, the August Meeting has been a viable avenue for community impact. 

In a bid to show solidarity in projecting and supporting the roles women play in family and community development, South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) through her Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI) project will visit 5 communities where it is currently working to sensitize women during their August Meeting. These communities are Umuode, Ibute-Nze, Awha, Afa, and Ezi-Nze.

The first of this trip was to Umuode community. The women were sensitized on the importance of women’s rights, how to handle violence against women and children, and political inclusion. Emphasizing representation and active participation in decision-making in the home and community. 

A research carried out by the United Nations in Nigeria shows that 30 percent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have experienced sexual abuse. Victims also have difficulty accessing healthcare as there are few referral centers around. Fear of stigma and discrimination has also made it difficult for women to report these issues. 

This is one of such reasons SSDO established the SGI. It offers a safe space where abused women can seek counseling, safety, and support. 

The Sister Guardian Initiative is a flagship aimed at reducing violence against women at the community level. It taps into existing based women community groups to identify women willing to stand in the gap (Sister Guardians) and advocate for other women facing different abuse.  

The beauty of the group is the unique setup that enables it to tackle different violence-based issues. Sister Guardian provides immediate support such as safety, referral, and mediation with husbands and families. The group also has a working relationship with the village rulers, police, and courthouses. This gives the group its potency.  

The women were also enlightened about female genital mutilation and its physiological and psychological effect. There were also facilitators from the organization on ground to train the women on leadership, advocacy, and economic empowerment.

The Project lead also used this opportunity to introduce the Sister Guardians executives to the August Meeting. This will facilitate easy access to the group. 

“The primary reason violence goes unreported is because of the stigma and discrimination the women suffer. Introducing the SGI executives to the community helps the women know the right individuals to meet,” she says.

“Another reason women do not speak about violence is that they solely depend on their abusive partners for their financial needs. They fear they will lose economic support. We understand this and that is why we introduced the Jacob’s Well Initiative to the community.”

Financial dependence on a spouse can be inhibition and a reason an abused partner would not speak up. SSDO understands this factor and has also made a provision by creating the Jacob’s Well Initiative. 

SSDO through its Jacob’s Well initiative aims at improving the quality of life for women in Enugu state by providing micro-credit facilities. The aim of the project is to empower women to gain financial independence, reduce poverty and over-dependency. 

Since the inception of the initiative, the organization has reached over 300 beneficiaries and given out loans to the tune of ₦22 million. This credit facility has made it possible for these women to grow their businesses from small scale to large scale.