We need more strategies to tackle gender-based violence, says Stephanie

What do you do at For Her Nigeria? The NGO is centred on advancing the lives of young women and girls in our local communities through advocacy and community outreach. I believe that when we talk about change, we are supposed to begin from our own individual capacities and work towards a unified approach to […]

What do you do at For Her Nigeria?

The NGO is centred on advancing the lives of young women and girls in our local communities through advocacy and community outreach. I believe that when we talk about change, we are supposed to begin from our own individual capacities and work towards a unified approach to change. It is focused on the rural areas because most times, women don’t have access to information to even begin to know what their rights are there. 

Why pay attention only to the young female folks?

They are the ones left behind really. I won’t say I have an ideal rural experience, but research shows that the rural women need more attention towards these issues. We have four pillars to improve on their lot. They are education, entrepreneurship, health and no-more violence against women and girls.

What are some of your activities?

There are list of girls, who at six to seven years, have no form of formal education or gone to school. I believe that in the Nigeria we are today, that shouldn’t be happening. No matter how little the money is, it will go a long way by helping us help these girls. We take pride in our network of volunteers and ambassadors because we believe in a society where capacity building important. One of our core values is learning.

What has the organisation achieved so far?

We have been able to begin educational talks. The next on agenda is on ‘no-violence against women and girls’, which is an awareness campaign on a five kilometre marathon in Abuja. This is will help on the campaign against gender-based violence. We are partnering with ‘Law2go’, a mobile app that gives access to reaching the law as quickly as possible. You don’t have to wait to go to the police station or a court sitting. The app just takes over and helps reach a lawyer and help with an urgent case. 

With this campaign, we will be able to establish a psycho-social centre for testing of sexual and gender-based victims. At the centre, there will be emergency lines, access to doctors and motivational talks to assist them.

What’s your take on punishments for violence against females, especially on rape?

I know that the laws already exist, but the problem is enforcement. We need to generate a culture that accommodates reporting rape or violence against women and girls. If you check out the statistics about domestic violence, despite the sentences, very few cases have been reported. Many women and girls don’t know who to talk or report to. I think it is the law enforcement that needs to have a re-orientation on the implication of this violence to the society from the social or economic perspective. 

What other measures could address the plights of such victims?

Physically and health wise, it is a concern. Educational-wise, they would not have access to school. Gender-based violence affects the society from whichever way you want to look at it so we need more strategies to stop this. There should be educational training for the law-enforcement. The ministries of Justice and Women Affairs should do more on this aspect.