VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS(VAWG) Faith and Culture Leaders Supporting VAWG Accountability Project

Background

Gaps in legal and social frame works compounded by weak enforcement are the key drivers in the growing impunity for VAWG and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria. Redress for survivors and accountability by perpetrators are in abysmal figures for violations in private and public spaces. Efforts by organizations, working on Violence Against Women and enactment of legislations at federal and state levels especially the Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, the adoption of National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 are yet to show significant changes.

However, the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), and Sexual Domestic Violence Response Teams, across the country is gradually availing VAWG survivor’s defined, specialized and formal support.

Advocacy for protection, access to services and justice as well as accountability has remained focused on sensitization campaigns for legal reforms. Roles or partnerships to vest responsibility or harvest inputs from key actors of faith and culture has been limited to seeking legitimacy for interventions. Best result for effective response to systematic VAWG and SGBV require working at all levels, and moving from sensitization to action by strategic sectors and key influencers who are engaged and not vilified as gatekeepers or perpetrators.

The institutions of faith and culture are grounded in theological legitimacy. This qualifies them to frame discourse on issues aimed at extracting commitments for peace, justice and social equity. In addition, these institutions are considered an embodiment of moral values, which confers on them some influence in personal and family spheres, as well as social attitudes and behavior. The centrality of religion in Nigeria enables religious institutions and leaders to exercise considerable influence, with extensive networks and communication channels, thus playing a strategic role in shaping opinion, influence government policy, advocating, and disseminating messages.

Problem Statement

In Nigeria, women and girls are subject to systematic disadvantage and discrimination – particularly those who are poor, live in rural areas and are from particular social groups. Gender inequality is manifested in violence against women and girls (VAWG), barriers to accessing quality education for girls, early marriage, poor reproductive and maternal health, and legal discrimination (particularly regarding family law). The complex interplay of faith, culture, economic, political, historical and other social indices combine to underscores the rising impunity for VAWG. Formal and informal sanctions and remedies present used signals of tacit endorsement of some forms of violence suffered by women and girls. Provisions that discriminate or undermine the dignity and worth of women are found in the Penal and Criminal Codes as well as the Evidence Act. At the society level, discriminatory traditions, codes of conduct continue to negatively influence the treatment of women and girls. Sexual and Gender violence is a violation of fundamental human rights. It is a global health and development issue cutting across economic wealth, culture, religion, and age. VAWG disproportionately affects women and girls and it also affects men and boys. Wherever VAWG occurs, it presents a major obstacle for the achievement of justice and becomes a critic barrier to sustainable development, economic growth and lasting peace. Institution of faith and culture have role in a purpose driven endeavor to counter faith misrepresentations that endorse or perpetrate actions inimical to the human dignity and the bodily integrity of women and girls. Culture leaders need to uphold the trust of their subjects for protection in every circumstance. This is especially considering deep –seated apprehensions for dedicated legislations and social policy seeking to curtail VAWG or award redress. Such attempts are perceived as Western impositions and held with suspicion.

Justification

Religious and Traditional Leaders, institutions and organizations are important influencers in Nigeria. These organizations are considered to have more legitimacy, respect and influence than secular NGOs. They are more established and have closer links with communities. They are held in reverence with less suspicion and even exercise limited enforcement capacity. These organizations also serve as arbitration platforms in dispute resolution relating to family life. Limitations however abound in legal frameworks, offering little or no respite to VAWG survivors thereby limiting women’s capacity to seek justice for abuses especially for violations within family settings.

As leading voice in SGBV campaigns WRAPA will use social accountability mechanisms driven by strengthened women’s agency and voice to demand for VAWG accountability from institutions of faith and culture, to support advocacy and influence prevention and response to VAWG.

Aim & Objectives

Women and Girls are free from all forms of violence, and from the threat of such, as a result of increased appreciation of the rights of women and improved accountability by leaders of culture and faith.

 Methodology

Theory of Change If coordinated interventions targeted at challenging social norms and behavior is operated at multiple levels (i.e. individual, familial relationship, community and society); AND women are educated are aware of their fundamental human rights and right to dignity, voices are strengthened and amplified, with supported safe spaces and alliances to promote women’s rights and bodily integrity at the community and national level; AND, Religious and culture leaders are aware of women’s rights and are protecting them; THEN, Sermons and messages of leaders of culture and faith will create and popularize broad appreciation of women in the society; AND, Religious and cultural leaders will act as gatekeepers, appreciate women as partners, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of VAWG.