Establish GBV information boots in Dikwa to provide appropriate information to children and community members on available GBV and PSEA prevention and response services.
During our ongoing intervention in Dikwa LGA. Access to GBV/SEA information and community safe reporting was one of the major challenge faced by survivors of GBV/SEA in Dikwa LGA. LETSAI was able to develop a platform for reporting and providing valuable information for survivors of GBV/SEA in host communities and IDPS Camp at the targeted locations in Dikwa LGA. LETSAI has provided the following platform to ensure survivors of GBV/SEA have access to GBV services and GBV/PSEA child friendly reporting mechanism the targeted communities in Dikwa LGA.
LETSAI information boot are located in Camp 1000 and Bullabulin Host Community. These locations were chosen due to the number of cases received and the continuous inflow of new arrivals that left their locations because of fear of attacks by the (Organized Armed Group). The boot is strategically located in a position where women and girls can easily have access to GBV/SEA within the locations. It presently managed by two females staff in each location who lives within the community and can also be reached in case of an emergency cases. The four LETSAI staff are well trained and are versatile in GBV management. During the project implementation the total number of women, girls and site location who visited the LETSAI information boot are shown in the table below)
Conduct information, public education and awareness raising sessions to prevent GBV/SEA
The sensitization/awareness raising information commences in Chingo Zarma host communities at 10: am prompt in the morning. The activity started with opening prayer by one of our community Volunteers from CAMP 1000 Mallam Modu Mukdala who pray for the success of the meetings. Similarly, in Kamchiji IDP Camp the session commences 12.00 PM prompt in the afternoon. It started with opening prayer by one of our community Volunteers from Babagana Modu from Kamchiji IDP camp. Similarly, to all other targeted locations such as Sangaya, Fulatari IDPs Camp and Bullabulin host community. LETSAI staff in attendance were the Project Coordinator, GBV officer, MHPSS officer, Livelihood officer, Case workers, community volunteers, youth coach and the monitoring and evaluation officer. The project coordinator started with a brief introduction of the staff and the purpose of the awareness raising session which elaborate more on prevention of GBV/SEA.
Methodology: Discussion/Interaction
The session makes use of discussion and interaction in which the participants were allowed to ask questions based on the presentation to enhance proper understanding of information on the prevention of GBV/SEA. There was a session for questions and answers to ensure the participants fully assimilate and understand the information
Training/presentation materials
Meaning of GBV/SEA
This session washandled by the GBV officerLilian Agom who explained in details meaning of GBV to the participants presents. she further stated that GBV is a general term for any harmful perpetrated against a person will and it is basically based on gender while SEA refers to as Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA): Particular forms of gender-based violence that have been reported in humanitarian contexts, specifically alleged against humanitarian workers. This was later translated into the local languages Kanuri that is generally spoken by majority of the participants by our community mobilizer Babagana Bukar. Relationship between Gender-Based Violence SEA: GBV is an umbrella term for any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially-ascribed differences between males and females (i.e. gender). It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty. SEA can be seen as a form of GBV, as victims of SEA are often abused because of their vulnerable status as women, girls, boys, or even men (in some circumstances). The procedures in this document only cover SEA complaints.
Types of GBV Cases
The various types of GBV were also listed and explained into details to the participants. The types explained includes
Rape: this is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without the person’s consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an intellectual disability or is below legal age of consent
Sexual violence: this is any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act by violence or cohesion, acts to traffic a person or acts directed against a person’s sexuality, regardless of the relationship to the victim.
Intimate partner violence:this is a domestic violence by a current or former spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner. IPV can take a number of forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic and sexual abuse.
Physical abuse:this is anyintentional act causing injury or trauma to another person. In most cases children are the victims of physical abuse, but adults can also be victims
Domestic violence: this is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behavior, including sexual violence early or forced marriage:this is marriage in which one or both party are under the age of 18 years old.
Denial of Resources, Services and Opportunities. This is another form of GBV that is involves in denial of access to economic resources/assets, livelihood opportunities, education, health or other social services.
Sexual Exploitation: “Any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another”
Sexual Abuse: “The actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions”.
Adverse / Negative effects of GBV/SEA: It violates the right to life, right to liberty. Security of a person, freedom of opinion and expression, education and personal development, it leads to trauma and sometimes death.
Reporting GBV/SEA: The community were encouraging and sensitized to always ensure that they report any cases or suspected cases of GBV/SEA. Once they are aware of any GBV/ SEA cases to report immediately through the established reporting mechanisms.
Response and feedback:The activity was impactful and the participants were thankful for the information and knowledge they received during the session
Organize dialogues sessions with targeted community members to promote social cohesion and the prevention of GBV/SEA
During the program implementation in targeted locations in Dikwa LGA. Ten dialogues sessions was conducted in the cohorts of 50 targeting different stakeholders within the community to promote social cohesion and the prevention of GBV/SEA. It commenced on the 14th of September to 23rd of September, 2021. The targeted participants includes: the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTFs) /Hunters, Women leaders, Village heads/ Bulamas, Teachers / pupils, on the 24th we had a session with and finally we had the last session with Religious leaders making a total of 500 persons reached for dialogue session all in cohorts of 50. Some of the session commenced at 12.00 PM prompt while others were held at 2.00 PM due to the farming season. The venue used for all the sessions was UNICEF Muhammed Kyari Safe Space at Dikwa LGA
Methodology: Discussion/Interaction
In these session, discussion/interaction including Questions & Answers was used to enhance proper understanding of the information on promoting social cohesion and prevention of GBV/SEA. At the end of the FGD, LETSAI was able to select forty people. This comprises of eight (8) individuals from various groups that attended the FGD sessions. All the selected people willingly accept the responsibilities to take the recommendation developed at the FGD back to their various communities and ensure that the information received from the FGD will bring the long awaited attitudinal changes and continue to promote social cohesion on the prevention of PSEA/GBV/CRSV
DISCUSSION
What is social cohesion?
Social cohesion involves building shared values and communities of interpretation, reducing disparities in wealth and income, and generally enabling people to have a sense that they are engaged in a common enterprise, facing shared challenges, and that they are members of the same community.
What violence causes?
Violence is an extreme form of aggression, such as assault, rape or murder. Violence has many causes, including frustration, exposure to violent media, violence in the home or neighborhood and a tendency to see other people’s actions as hostile even when they’re not
What a socially cohesive community is like?
A socially cohesive society is one which works towards the wellbeing of all its members, fights exclusion and marginalization, creates a sense of belonging, promotes trust and offers its members the opportunity of upward mobility. A cohesive community is one where there is common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities, the diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and positively valued, those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities. Community cohesion describes the ability of communities to function and grow in harmony together rather than in conflict.
Elements of social cohesion
Social cohesion can be described as the “glue” that bonds society together, essential for achieving peace, democracy and development. This “glue” is made up of four key components: 1) Social Relationships, 2) Connectedness, 3) Orientation towards the common good and 4) Equality
WHAT IS GBV/SEA
GBV (Gender Based Violence) as a general term for any harmful act perpetrated against a person will and it is basically on gender ascribed differences between males and females. While SEA (Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) is the abuse or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power or trust for sexual purposes or the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature and sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favour, verbal or physical conduct or gesture of a sexual nature that is perceived to cause offence or humiliation to another.
Relationship between Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:
GBV is an umbrella term for any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially-ascribed differences between males and females (i.e. gender). It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty.
SEA can be seen as a form of GBV, as victims of SEA are often abused because of their vulnerable status as women, girls, boys, or even men (in some circumstances).
What is Crises Related Sexual Violence? (CRSV)
The term”conflict- related sexual violence “refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is directly or indirectly linked to a conflict. CRSV is a frequently and deliberately used to target civilians, inflicting, long term trauma and humiliation, fracturing families and the social fabric, triggering displacement and fueling armed actors activities, such violent extremism and terrorism. Women and girls continue to be those primary affected by CRSV, not least due to patterns of gender discrimination and inequality predicting the conflict. CRSV is no longer seen as an inevitable byproduct of war, but constitutes a crime that is preventable and punishable under International Humana’s Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law. The dialogue session was interactive and a lot of participants contributed to the dialogue session and are willing to work harmoniously to ensure elimination of GBV/SEA/CRSV within Dikwa LGA. Below are some of the responses of some participants during the dialogues session.
Responses from participants are as follows:
Some of the participants said that GBV is happening in Dikwa because most of the women especially young girls are jobless and idle, therefore there is need for skill acquisition and livelihood support for the people.
Another participant mentioned that lack of education is another cause of GBV/SEA, hence the need to send all children back to school by building more educational structures, employing more teachers and providing free education for the people.
Maryam Modu said that sometimes they have to sell the food items given to them by other organizations to meet other needs of the family, hence the need for them to engage in businesses to carter for other basic needs.
Fatima Babakura mentioned that there is lack of water in some areas and they will have to pay for the water and also for medical treatment and drugs that used to be free they pay for them now, all this hardship has contributed to the vulnerability of the people especially women and girls.
Iya Suleiman said they don’t like reporting GBV cases because they are afraid their secret will be shared and not kept with confidentiality. We responded by letting them know that our organization works with high level of confidentiality therefore their secret is safe with us.
Bukar Abatcha a CJTF participant mentioned that cases of GBV are usually not reported to them but the community leaders always resolve it among themselves on their own.
Fada Waziri said that GBV especially rape is still happening because the men in the community and camps always cover for themselves giving the excuse that some of the ladies need to be married but don’t have husbands to marry them and most of this cases happen in camps.
Alhaji Abba mentioned that some of the causes of this cases are lack of food and basic needs, he also said that the CJTF do not handle such cases but report them to the police because they don’t have the law or power to handle them.
Another participant mentioned that the perpetrators usually threaten to kill the girls if they open up or report them. The fear of being killed makes the girls keep quiet instead of reporting to the authorities.
Conclusion
At the end of each dialogue session conducted in Dikwa LGA, a total of 30 community members from all the targeted groups volunteers willingly to continue with an advocacy in their various locations to ensure that the information received will enhanced social cohesion and the prevention of GBV/SEA and CRSV within their community.
Develop a well-structured feedback/ reporting system for reporting of PSEA
1. LETSAI GBV /SEA champions
In order to ensure survivors of GBV/SEA have access to child friendly reporting mechanism in the targeted communities. Twenty five GBV/SEA champions were selected from all project locations. They were selected based on the approval of the various stakeholders within the communities because of their outstanding contributions towards reductions of GBV/SEA cases within the targeted communities. As part of their responsibility, they embarked on house to house campaign on the adverse effects of not reporting GBV/SEA cases. Help people in the community on how to access GBV/SEA services available.
2. GBV /SEA Focal person: LETSAI was able to introduced GBV/SEA focal person and all case workers working in the camp and host communities in all program location. They served as GBV/SEA ambassador in the community whom GBV/SEA are reported to
3.LETSAI PSEA Hotlines /Email
LETSAI has emergency Email and phone numbers used for feedback/reporting of PSEA. This was introduced to the targeted communities during awareness sessions and FGD sessions to repot cases of GBV/SEA within the community. The LETSAI PSEA Email is PSEA@letsaii.com and our PSEA hotline is 08021299286 and 08134593569
4. Voiceless message (VM)
During the awareness raising sessions to prevent GBV/SEA in the various targeted locations in the IDPs camp and host communities. LETSAI came up with an innovative way of reporting perpetrators of GBV/SEA to an identified GBV case workers and twenty five GBV/SEA champions selected during the awareness raising sessions in Camp 1000 IDPs camp, Kamchinji, Sangaya, Fulatrari and Chingo Zarma and Bullabulin host communities.
A voiceless message developed by LETSAI make used of the following symbols
Fig 2.2 Showing voiceless messages developed by LETSAI used during the intervention in Dikwa LGA
OK – (Thumb – Up)
A right or left thumb being raised up signify “all correct which is a way of saying that everything is fine in emergency setting. This symbols whenever is shown means the survivor is alright without any threat or been subjected to any form of duress condition.
Warning – the index fingers facing vertical position while the thumb finger in upright location signify warning meaning that the survivor is in a situation whereby she needs an urgent assistance and she cannot be able to communicate due to the presence of the perpetrator.
Emergency – A continuous quick click on a thumb and index fingers simultaneously
This shows a lifesaving urgent response is needed to survivors. Perhaps the survivors needed urgent protection against any act that can inflict physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty.
Methodology
During the awareness sessions conducted on the 28th – 31st July 2021 in all the targeted locations in IDPs Camp and host communities. A Session was made available where the participants were taught practically on meaning of each symbols and why and when to use the symbols. This was demonstrated and dramatized in (Kanuri languages) popularly spoken by most of the participants by all LETSAI team and Community volunteers’ presence in all locations during the succession. It was later follows by a session of questions and answers.
Achievements recorded through Voiceless messages
The following are the achievements recorded through the use of voiceless messages during our program implementation in Dikwa LGA. Three perpetrators who were known for raping young girls were reported to us during this medium Seventeen cases ranging from rape, sexual assault ,physical assault, emotional violence, denial of resources, opportunities and service, early marriage were reported ranging from
The number of reported cases through this medium are shown in the table below disaggregated by sex and age
| Site Name | Type of Beneficiaries | Boys (0 – 12 y)2 | Girls (0 – 12 y) | Boys (13 – 17 y) | Girls (13 – 17y) | Men (18 – 59 y) | Women (18 – 59 y) | Total Number of reported cases |
| 1000 | IDPs in Camp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sangaya | IDPs in camp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Kamcheji | IDPs in camp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Fulatari | IDPs in camp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bulabulin | Host community | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Chingozarma | Host community | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Number of reporter cases through VM | 17 | |||||||
Table 2.2 showing the number of participants who reported GBV cases through VM developed by LETSAI
