I recently started working with a rights based NGO called Project Alert on Violence Against Women somewhere in Lagos State. Our major work involves Gender based violence issues involving women and young girls' rights and other things in between. We also have a shelter for women to "cool off" or to live temporarily if they are having issues on the home front or suddenly homeless.I'd like to share some information that I've gathered in my short time working here.
GBV(gender based violence) is real! It is very common and it is grossly under-reported. Mostly because of the usual "what will people say" behaviour and the lackadaisical attitude of the Police. Violence here includes psychological trauma, physical beating,assault, rape(even in marriage, yes, it happens) and so many other things.
A lot of women go through some form of violence in their home,mostly from their partners(husbands,lovers). They are beaten, raped, starved, deprived of a social life, some depend on their husbands financially, some are hated because they earn more than their partners or because they are more educated, others have their children taken away and some, their partners decide to keep malice for weeks and weeks. And these women go through these things with little or no support even from fellow women! Some of them wait until the beating has landed them in the hospital or, resulted in the death of a child. We had a case where the husband of a certain woman, poured acid on his wife and then killed their only child!
Some of them say, "oh he started beating me when we where newly married, but I thought he would change" others say, "my family pressured me into marrying". There are a few that married the men against their family's advice not to.Abuse does not no age or class, it affects everyone! Please do not keep silent, speak up and seek help! This culture of silence should be discouraged. The men too should help by reporting any known case to the nearest police station and ensure that there is a follow up.
Young girls should be encouraged to report any form of abuse by anyone to their parents or an older person.Ill say this, a woman is entitled to bodily integrity, not inhuman treatment and no form of discrimination!
If you are experiencing any form of abuse or violence or you just have a need to talk to someone and share your burden through counselling, please call Project Alert on 08180091072. Or visit our website at projectalertnig.org. We will be glad to help.
No comments:
Post a Comment