By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
In continuation of sensitization program on eradication of sexual and gender based violence commonly meted against women and children, a non-governmental (NGO) organisation, the Project Alert on Violence Against Women, in conjunction with Spotlight Initiative, during the weekend held their capacity building workshop on SGBV in Dopemu Agege area of Lagos State.
This is the 4th out of the 18 series of workshop planned to hold across nine local government areas of Lagos State sponsored by the United Nations and the European Union to eliminate violence against women and girls.
In her introductory remarks, the Shelter Manager for Project Alert, Mrs Nsini Udonta, explained to participants the objectives of the workshop, saying it was to educate and inform them to help discourage and eradicate domestic violence against women and children nationwide and particularly within their area. She stressed that men should have no reason whatsoever to beat and or torture their wives.
Udonta also informed the participants the activities and services of Project Alert which some of them are to protect and promote the rights of women and girls; provision of legal aid and mediation to victims of domestic violence, intervention in marital disputes, empowerment of women.
According to her, Project Alert provides shelter to women whose lives are in danger.
“We shelter women temporarily while trying to resolve the issue at stake.
“We do research and documentation, human rights communication, capacity building and advocacy.
“Project Alert is an NGO that caters for survivors of domestic violence, and offers comprehensive support services to SGBV survivors and families of victims.”
In her presentation on the theme “Prevalence of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Communities and Steps to take including Referrals” the resource person, Dr Princess Olufemi-Kayode, reminded the participants that violence against women and children are not acceptable globally.
“In United States or United Kingdom you dare not beat your wives or children.”
She said various forms of violence/torture against women include but not limited to physical, emotional, financial and mental.
Others are rape and sexual abuses. She cautioned that men should not force or cajole their wives for sex. Doing such amounts to rape, whether there is penetration or not.
Furthermore, sexual abuses may not involve penetration but touching the private parts of a woman without her consent or playing blue film for inducement to arouse her.
For girl under 18 years, touching her private parts even with her consent is sexual abuse because she is underage.
“You are here to learn and carry this message to your associations, communities, neighborhood and friends.
“Tell them that sexual abuse is not acceptable and domestic violence is not acceptable globally.
“Correct children particularly young boys and girls on promiscuity which sometimes lead to rape, whether penetration or not.
“If a girl does not finish her education or learn a skill properly and becomes pregnant, she is going to suffer.
“And so correct and advise them, though you may get insults but do your duty as a father or brother.”
Meanwhile, in his opening speech at the workshop, a Project Officer with Project Alert, Mr Temidayo Adeyemi, said that about 80 percent of domestic violence is against women and girls.
He mentioned some causes of violence as frustration, anger, drugs, drunkenness, poverty amongst others.
He charged the participants to always control their temper when they feel bad.
“To stem the tide of violence, there should be self control; a man should be there for the family and there should be self management.”
He charged the participants to spread the gospel of ‘No to violence, No to sexual abuse’ to their community, neighborhood and association which they represent.
The capacity building workshop had in attendance 60 male participants invited from various community development associations (CDAs), skilled workers associations, trade unions, butchers association, local government employees, youth associations, representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), NUPENG, amongst other associations within Agege area.
The workshop was organised in three batches of 20 people per batch for three sessions.
Stickers and T-shirts bearing various inscriptions denouncing and discouraging domestic violence against women and girls, rape and sexual abuses were distributed to the participants.
Recall that similar workshop was held same place for 60 female participants in Dopemu, Agege area on Friday, May 29.
