Minutes Of The International Workshop On "Involving Men and Boys as critical change agents/champions for eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV)/Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)" organized by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSOs Network

 

Minutes Of  The International Workshop On "Involving Men and Boys as critical change agents/champions for eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV)/Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)" organized by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSOs Network

 

Date	25th November, 2021.
Venue	Zoom
Registered Participants	1. Dr Uzodinma ADIRIEJE, CEO Afrihealth Optonent Association CSOs Network 2. Aina'u Musa Sarai, Secretary Joint meetings of TAGs 3. Mrs. Abia Udeme, Rrepresentative of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Her Excellency Dame Pauline Tallen, OFR, KSG 4. Desmond Osalobo Osemhenjie UN Women, Representing Ms. Comfort Lamptey, UN Women representative to Nigeria and Ecowas 5. Thina Maphosa, YES TRUST Zimbabwe 6. Faith Mvududu, Lily Blossom Academy Zimbabwe 7. Quasi Baby, PDAP Bangladesh 8. Abu Ibrahim, Center for Communities Education and Youth Development  Ghana 9. Krishna Chandra Neupane, Executive Secretary General Association of District Coordination Communications Nepal 10. Amina Inuwa, Girl Child Concerns Kaduna Nigeria 11. Oratile Kgosiemang, Gender Affairs Botswana 12. Shamah Mawoko, Great Zimbabwe University 13. Vincent Enenche Onuh, Human Rights Watch 14. Tulari Tine, Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria 15. Joseph Goueth 16. Abdul-Hadi Aminu Dabo, Geography Department Kaduna State University 17. Stella Akinso, Nigeria 18. Abdullahi Yusuf,  Nigeria 19. Max Isaac Odu, Youth Organization for Health and Development Initiatives (YOHaD) Nigeria 20. Enock Wanyonyi, Secretary General Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (Knumlo) 21. Anima Sharma- India 22. Loreto Koosaletse, BOSANet Botswana 23. Vera Okwuosah, USAID Care Center Nigeria 24. George Darlington Hashaka, Founder/Executive Chairman Uganda Peace Foundation 25. Joseph Wato, Cameroon 26. Okay Moses, Gender Focal Officer, Rural Renewal and Community Health Development Initiative (RURCHEDI) Makurdi 27. Ivine M Dube, University of Zimbabwe 28. Temple Bright, Citizens Rights Development Center Nigeria 29. Monica Mesame Ewang, Our Health Foundation Cameroon 30. Yoila Samari Raymond, Tansana Health and Community Integrated Development Initiative 31. Ebuka Obika, Executive Director Save the Boys Initiative 32. Runnies Manja, University of Zimbabwe 33. Muhammad Kamil Khan,  President International Anti Terrorism Movement 34. Miriam Syombua, Wote Youth Development Kenya 35. Christiana Kuzanuam Clement,  Girl Child Concerns Nigeria 36. Sandra's Tapuwa Munjoma, Zimbabwe 37. Ntalah Rachael Mashang, Family Health and Development Foundation Cameroon 38. Otuodichima Nweke Ijeoma, Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Nigeria 39. Mr. Christopher Ogah, Executive Director Ebo Centre for Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development Benue State Nigeria 40. Dr. Babatunde Ezekiel Olusegun,  Senior Research Fellow Institute of Education University of Ibadan, Chairperson PAP- (M&E) 41. Mercury Makunere, Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe 42. Grace Omondi, Youth Empowerment for Peace Organization Kenya 43. Columbia Tine, Child and Women Protection Senegal 44. Prof Nwaorga, GHARF Enugu Nigeria 45. Rose Kimuyu, The safe Center ( Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Center) 46. Dr Kabir Hamisu Kura, Community Development Initiative Kano Nigeria 47. Mina Ogbanya, Rivers Network of Nigeria 48. Mohsin Rafiq 49. Aisha Hamza,  SAHEI Nigeria 50. Kennedy Phiri, Zambia National Mens Network for Gender and Development Zambia 51. Clive Gabriel Usumani 52. Ferdinand Anok, United Purpose Nigeria 53. Deborah Ogwuche-Ikeh, Executive Director DHDC, Nigeria. 54. Fobi Miterand, Cameroon
Meeting time	1:00pm GMT		Moderator	Thina Maphosa, Chairperson, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) TAG, Afrihealth Optonent Association- CSOs Network

 

 

Programme of Events:

 

1. Recognitions of Participants - Faith Mvududu

2. Opening Statement - Moderator Thina Maphosa

3. Welcome Speech - Dr Uzodinma Adirieje

4. Goodwill messages

5. Keynote address - Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria

6. Presentation/Paper - Faith Mvududu

7. Discussions - Thina Maphosa

8. Resolution - Dr Uzodinma Adirieje

9. Next step - Dr Uzodinma Adirieje

10. Vote of thanks - Nr. Ainaú Musa Sarai, Secretary Joint TAGs Forum, AFRIHEALTH.

 

 

 

Opening Statement	The Moderator Thina Maphosa welcomes the participants and call for a meaningful engagement that will bring an end to the devastating consequences of GBV and VAWG especially amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. She also noted that the 16 days are not ordinary days but for activism. She then officially declared the Workshop open.
Welcome Speech	The CEO Afrihealth Optonent Association, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje called the conference to a start, while acknowledging the presence and importance of the Participants. He formally introduced the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria and the panelists.
Goodwill Messages	The UN Women country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Comfort Lamptey while saluting the convener of the conference, delves into the year 2021 theme "Orange the World, end Violence Against Women" where she noted the increasing cases of reported VAWG in Nigeria amidst the 2020 pandemic which poses a threat. She says in a research finding over the last 12 months, 240million women and girls ages between 15-49 were subjected to sexual violence physically and perpetrators are close ones. Also, report of a supported rapid gender assessment by UN Women discovered a shocking reality where finding reveals women feels less secure in public places and are reluctant to report cases outside the family. The UN Women, she says are working closely with different stakeholders, Ministry of Women Affairs and other International NGOs to ensure mechanisms are put in place that will bring this menace to the bearest minimum if not totally eradicated. She also said that UN Women will work with key stakeholders in Nigeria including Afrihealth Optonent Association (AHOA) in ensuring other states adopt the VAPP Act that will see policies put in place to curb the menace. The UN Women are looking forward to 1. Seeing policies being put in place that will ensure Women's voices, needs and rights are reflected. 2. Request that allocation of funds should be increased to address VAWG 3. Request strengthening services for women who are experiencing violence especially through one culture and other humanitarian activities. 4. Wish that stakeholders invest in major and not preventive efforts that will end this violence. Ms. Comfort is optimistic that VAWG will stop as it's a collective responsibility and not just Women issues. She finally advises all participants to show the way, determination and put greater resources to end this scourge.
Keynote Address by The Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Nigeria. Dame Pauline K. Tallen, OFR, KSG.	In her speech, the Minister noted that the Workshop was organized to strengthen advocacy to bring an end to GBV and VAWG which commonly occurs due to gender inequality and promoted by culture. She congratulates AHOA CEO and his members for convening the conference and shows optimism that prevalence of injustices against women will greatly reduce following the workshop. The Minister says in a research findings over the last decade, most VAWG happens at the hands of a trustee and covered up by family members and or culture. She noted IPV as the commonest VAWG and it varies across Nations. The Minister advised to take cognisance the peculiarities of different countries in developing policies and programmes to address SGBV and VAWG. She also advises the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action by the 4th world conference on Women in 1995, Declaration on the elimination of violence against Women by the Geneva Assembly in December 1993, protocol to the African charter on Human Rights and Peoples rights on the Rights of Women in Africa which calls on Government and member states to formulate and implement at all appropriate levels plans of act to eliminate VAWG and Nigeria as a member state is leaving no stone untouched in its fight against all forms of VAWG. The Minister reminded the participants of the achievements by her ministry in conjunction with the Federal Government of Nigeria such as the passing into Law the VAPP ACT in May 2015 and HeForShe campaigns launched in May 2017. The Minister highlights some of the achievements of her Ministry in partnership with Development partners and Stakeholders in the fight against VAWG which are 1. Presentation of a memo to Federal Executive Council on 10th June 2020. 2. Progress in the availability of GBV Data in the country with support of UNDP 3. Securing Toll free lines for reporting SGBV across the nation . The numbers are 08031230651 and 0705357528 4. Constant engagement with grassroots and other traditional institutions. 5. Sensitization visit to States yet to adopt and domesticate the VAPP Act   The Minister reiterate her Ministry's commitment in collaborating with NGOs like Afrihealth Optonent Association AHOA. She then urges all Men to HE FOR SHE ambassadors advocating against prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.
Presentation/Paper by Faith Mvududu of Lily Blossom Academy Zimbabwe and Collaborating Partners.	In a paper Titled " The Church a breeding ground for unspoken abuse against Women and Girls " Faith Mvududu talks about different shades of abuse Women and Girls faces in the hands of Men/Women of God who are highly regarded/protected by the society, this lead to many women developing hatred towards the Church and ultimately loosing faith in God. She says women and girls in some churches lack freedom of worship while single, widowed or separated are denied preaching the word of God or considered objects of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse and termed home wreckers by their women folks. Married women are scared to attend churches alone as they are seen as easy prey. This attitudes has affected the victims negatively she says.   Recommended Solutions: 1. Transparency in all Church activities especially one on one 2. Empower the Christian Women with knowledge of the holy book 3. Stiffer penalties for perpetrators 4. Provisions of more safe centers for victims 5. Sensitize members of the church on abuse and it's consequences 6. Ban churches that practices abuse 7. Catch them Young 8. Freedom of worship and to treat all cases seriously.
Discussions	Kennedy Phiri explained that his organization reach out to Men and boys in the community and the churches and suggested reaching out to the Muslim community.   Krishna Neupane, Moses Okwe, Sandra Topuna and Munjoma,reminds Participants to not forget Men and boys who are vulnerable to GBV by Women and to address it in all ramifications. They congratulates women and girls who are free of any form of violence and advise them to reach out to victims/survivors of GBV.   Enock Nalianya shares his concerns and worries over the growing rate of human trafficking to the middle east as they are subjected to dehumanizing conditions such as sexual exploitation, forced labor, physical harm/torture and eventful death. He also made mention of sexual harassment in places of work as a means of getting/retaining ones job. This, he says is a pandemic that needs prompt attention and action.   Otuodichinma Nweke said that Women and girls are the victims during crisis situations. She then commend the the giant steps taken under the Ministry of the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs Nigeria.   Anima Sharma explained that every individual is vulnerable to GBV in one way or the other. Similarly, human trafficking is a major problem but Women and children are the most vulnerable. She says GBV is related to age, psychological, alcohol abuse and socioeconomic conditions.  The pandemic she says, saw increase in cases of GBV.   Mercury Makunere opined that the pandemic saw surge in violence against Women and girls due to loss of jobs and economic hardship.   Moses Okwe shared a sad situation involving a young gay man who was ambushed by his church for his sexual preferences.   Stella Akinso agreed that the pandemic further escalated GBV as most men who are out of jobs relieves their frustration on women and girls.   Miriam Syombua lays emphasis on the issue of sexual abuse being used as a form of securing Job.   Runnies Manja explains many instances whereby people misuse religion as a tool of oppression and frowns at the issue of sexual abuse as a means of securing Job, he therefore called for a movement of enlightenment on GBV   Ebuka Obika of Save the boys Initiative, discuss extensively on denying the boy child necessary sex education which is affecting the boys negatively. He said his organization is out to catch them young, capacitate them with knowledge and skills. He finally calls for collaboration with organizations.   Grace Omondi explains that sexual abuse cases are high in families with stepfather's. It is disheartening to be raped by a father figure and worst still most families are afraid to speak out because of dependency.
Resolution	Resolutions reached at the end of the Workshop includes   1. Involving religious scholars, community leaders 2. Advocacy through public barazas, churches, schools or Institutions of higher learning and through electronic media 3. Involving key stakeholders at all levels 4. Catching  them Young 5. Involving the family 6. Collaborating with film and music industries for content creation that enlighten on GBV 7. Awareness programs targeting parents and caregivers 8. Present petition to a. Local leaders on the rights of women and girls/boys b. Judiciary to set precedence in their rulings c. Legislature to enact laws that protect the victims 9. Take serious action of family cases of GBV 10. Establishments of more safe centers 11. Engaging both boys and girls, men and women on focused groups discussion 12. Encouraging the victims to identify their perpetrators 13. Train religious leaders GBV champions 14. Capacity building etc.

 

 

Signed

Nr Aina'u Musa Sarai

Secretary, Joint TAGs Forum

Afrihealth Optonent Association CSOs Network.