Fight Against Domestic, Gender-Based Violence And Daurama Foundation’s Voices Within – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

The fight against domestic and gender-based violence is a critical human rights issue that affects individuals and communities around the world. Organisations such as the Daurama Foundation are at the forefront of this battle, working tirelessly to raise awareness, provide assistance, and advocate for change. One of their key initiatives, “Voices Within,” provides a powerful platform for survivors to share their stories, reclaim their narratives, and foster a sense of belonging and healing. ROLAND OGBONNAYA writes.

Domestic and gender-based vi­olence (GBV) continues to be a widespread issue in Nigeria, affecting millions of women and men. Despite various legal frame­works and interventions aimed at com­bating this societal threat, deep-rooted cultural, economic, and political factors continue to fuel the cycle of violence.

To discuss or analyse the cur­rent landscape of domestic and gen­der-based violence in Nigeria, one must investigate the root causes, manifestations of the violence, and efforts to address the issue, as well as recommendations for more effective interventions.

Domestic and gender-based violence affects approximately 30% of women in Nigeria, according to various reports, including those from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and local non-gov­ernmental organisations (NGOs), with reports indicating that the figure may be higher in some regions. Physical, emotional, and sexual violence, as well as economic control, all contribute to a cycle of trauma and poverty.

Nigeria’s cultural landscape is di­verse, with over 250 ethnic groups and a variety of religious beliefs. Unfortu­nately, many cultural practices and so­cietal norms help to normalise violence against women and men. Patriarchal structures frequently dictate gender roles, relegating women to positions of dependence and vulnerability. Tradi­tional practices, such as early marriage and bride price, exacerbate gender in­equality and violence.

Domestic and gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious problem in Nigeria, affecting a large proportion of the pop­ulation. The prevalence of these types of violence is concerning and can be attributed to a variety of cultural, so­cial, and economic factors.

Various studies and reports indicate that a high percentage of women in Ni­geria experience some form of GBV. For example, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) found that approximately 30% of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, with intimate partner vi­olence being one of the most common types.

Many cases of domestic and gen­der-based violence go unreported due to social stigma, fear of repercussions, and a lack of trust in the authorities. Cultural norms frequently discourage women from speaking out, resulting in a significant underestimate of the true prevalence.

Conflict-affected areas, such as the northeast due to the Boko Haram in­surgency, have reported an increase in GBV cases. Displacement can ex­acerbate vulnerabilities and disrupt social structures, increasing the risk of violence.

While Nigeria has laws to combat domestic violence and gender-based violence, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015, en­forcement is weak, and there are sig­nificant gaps in implementation. Many states have yet to pass comprehensive laws addressing GBV.

Economic dependence on male part­ners, poverty, and women’s lack of ac­cess to education and resources all con­tribute to their vulnerability. Economic empowerment programs are viewed as critical for addressing these issues.

In Nigeria, there is a growing aware­ness and advocacy for GBV, with vari­ous NGOs and civil society organisa­tions working to support survivors, provide legal aid, and promote gender equality. However, much more must be done at the community and govern­ment levels.

Traditional beliefs and norms about gender roles frequently perpetuate vio­lence and discrimination against wom­en. Long-term change requires shifting societal attitudes towards gender and domestic violence.

Nigeria, as previously stated, has made progress in developing legal frameworks to combat domestic and gender-based violence. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 criminalises various types of violence, including domestic violence, and establishes mechanisms to protect victims. However, its imple­mentation has been inconsistent, with only a few states passing comparable legislation.

The Child Rights Act (2003), whose legislation is aimed at protecting chil­dren from abuse and exploitation, in­cluding measures to combat domestic violence, has not been thoroughly in­vestigated.

The Penal Code and Criminal Code have not been effectively codified to in­clude provisions against assault and sexual offences, and they frequently fail to address domestic violence as a distinct issue.

Interestingly, UN Women has played an important role in combating do­mestic and gender-based violence in Nigeria, addressing a critical issue affecting women and girls through­out the country. UN Women has been involved in policy advocacy and devel­opment, working with the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to strengthen laws and policies designed to prevent gender-based violence. This includes advocating for the domestica­tion of international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and assisting with the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.

UN Women runs training programs for law enforcement, the judiciary, and healthcare professionals to help them understand gender-based violence and respond better to survivors. This helps to ensure that victims receive the nec­essary assistance and justice.

To challenge social norms that perpetuate violence, UN Women has continued to conduct awareness cam­paigns and community engagement programs. These initiatives seek to educate communities about wom­en’s rights, the consequences of gen­der-based violence, and the value of gender equality.

UN Women promotes the establish­ment and expansion of services for sur­vivors of domestic and gender-based violence, such as shelters, counselling, and legal aid. This support ensures that women have access to the resources they require to rebuild their lives. This section is about conducting and sup­porting research to gather data on the prevalence of gender-based violence in Nigeria. This information is critical for understanding the problem’s scope and developing effective interventions and policies.

In recent years, the UN has collab­orated closely with local non-govern­mental organisations (NGOs) and civ­il society organisations to implement programmes addressing domestic vi­olence and gender equality. These col­laborations draw on local knowledge and expertise to develop more effective and culturally sensitive interventions.

In addition, UN Women has ad­vocated for the inclusion of gender considerations in regional and inter­national frameworks, situating Nige­ria’s response to gender-based violence within broader discussions on human rights and development, and recognis­ing that economic independence is a critical factor in preventing domestic violence.

The Daurama Foundation joined the fight against domestic and gen­der-based violence this week with the release of “Voices Within,” a powerful short film that sheds light on the social malaise.

This evocative film, produced by Take 7 Media and directed by Bem Pe­ver, with a screenplay by Mahdi Eldaw and Emil Garuba, is a key component of the Daurama Foundation’s initia­tives for the annual 16 Days of Activ­ism, a global campaign to end violence against women and girls. The premiere will take place at Silverbird Cinema, Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja, on November 30, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

“Voices Within” is the story of a young girl who witnesses a tragic cycle of abuse at home and turns to writing to escape. Through her storytelling, she finds the courage to express her pain and resilience while fantasising about a safer world. Her story also sheds light on her mother’s plight—a survivor of abuse who, due to a childhood disability, is unable to defend herself physically. This moving story raises the voices of those who are often silenced, encour­aging audiences to stand in solidarity against violence.

This moving story raises the voices of those who are frequently silenced, inspiring audiences to stand together against violence. Dr. Samira Buhari, Executive Producer and Chair of the Daurama Foundation, believes that “Voices Within” exemplifies the Foun­dation’s commitment to empowering women and building communities that oppose violence.

The Daurama Foundation is a Nige­rian non-governmental organisation that works to improve health outcomes and advocate for women’s and girls’ rights through education, outreach, and community engagement.

Their work addresses critical issues affecting the well-being of women and girls by developing programs and re­sources to combat domestic violence and provide survivors with a path for­ward.

“The release of “Voices Within” rep­resents a significant milestone in our mission to raise awareness and inspire action. Dr. Samira Buhari stated, “We invite the public, stakeholders, and community members to attend this pre­miere, be moved by the story, and join us in saying ‘no more’ to gender-based violence.”

“Voices Within” serves as a call to action for those who want to make the world a safer and more inclusive place. These premieres promise to be transformative events that bring communities together in the fight against domestic and gender-based violence.