The Dorothy Njemanze Foundation have lamented over harmful normative practices and the increase of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), in the society.
To profer solution, the Foundation recently organized a townhall meeting at Mpape, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory bringing men, women and youths together to talk about harmful normative practices that constitute SGBV in the community.
Stellamaries Amuwa who attended the Mpape Town Hall meeting writes on the harmful normative practices and the event.
According to the Executive Director, Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, harmful normative practices are forms of violence which have been committed primarily against women and girls in certain communities for so long. “These practices include child marriage, female genital mutilation, breast ironing, virginity testing, corrective rape, Gishiri stitching, harmful widowhood rites, inheritance discrimination, menstrual isolation amongst others. These persist not simply because of ignorance but because they are embedded within systems of meaning and authority that give them legitimacy. The prevalence of GBV in Nigeria remains alarming high. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation with collaboration from Ford Foundation sought to transform the role of cultural and religious leaders from potential enforcers of harmful practices to active advocates for gender based violence.”
Furthermore, we spoke with some of the leaders of the Mpape community who frown at the perpetrators and harmful practices. His Royal Highness Oba Musbau Adekale Olarewaju, Oba Yoruba Mpape/ Chairman, Council of Tribal Chiefs Mpape stated that the Njemanze Foundation have been instrumental in providing life-saving aid and support for the community as himself has learnt quite a number of things in this townhall meeting. He said, “As a community leader we had a case of rape 5years ago involving a 74years old man who raped a 15years old teneger. I personally called the police and got the rapist arrested not just arresting him but followed up until he was sentenced by a court and went to jail. Since then we haven’t witnessed such again in this community. The only form of violence that takes place here once in a while are men who physically abuse their wives and once it gets to my knowledge we have measures of discipline we melt out to such men.
The First Women Community Leader, Mpape, Mrs. Christie Asanaenyi also appreciated the Foundation nothing that when Dorothy Njemanze heard that the Authorities were going to demolish Mpape she played pivotal role with other leaders and gathered women to make sure Mpape was not demolished. She said, ” In terms of empowerment for women the Foundation has really tried for us and we are grateful but like Oliver Twist we still ask for more. Please carry our husbands along as you have invited then today, we also look forward to programs for our youths.
Meanwhile, a survivor of rape, now teenage mother who was raped in Apo Resettlement area of Abuja at 16years and got pregnant was at the townhall to tell her story.
Blessing (name withheld) was 16 years of age when she was trafficked to Abuja by her madam who promised her green pastures since she lost her father at a tender age and her single mother could not sponsor her to higher education after secondary school.
Blessing narrates her story ” The madam I was working for will ask me to go and clean house for a client and she will advise me to obey whatever I was asked to do there not knowing that she has collected money from the client to have sex with me. Meanwhile she does not pay me monthly allowance according to her she feeds me. I was raped in her shop, the next day I told her all she said was that I should clean myself up and get ready for sales.
“I was eventually chased out with nothing to care for me and my unborn baby. By this time I was 5month gone but luckily I got referred to Dorathy Njemanze Foundation. The Foundation took me into their shelter until I delivered my baby girl who will turn 2years in few months time. Delivery was not easy because before we could get to the hospital I delivered in the car but thank God for DNF who stood by me and paid all the bills.”
Another victim of domestic violence is Faith (name withheld) a mother of 4 children. She said there have been issues in her marriage until 2022 when it became unbearable.
Faith said, “As at 2022 I was a full housewife, I was physically, emotionally and verbally abused. I became withdrawn from the friends and relatives, I contemplated leaving the marriage but before then I went to the police they faulted me because the man was financially fit and has connections. At the period we were finally separated I went to see my children, I left the house because my children were going through torture seeing their father physically assaulting me always. After sometime I went to the house to see my children and the man called police and got me arrested. I was told by the police never to go near my children.
“Then, I remembered that I have a family and I also have a degree so I picked up my certificate and got a job. Though it was not easy but somehow I went to FIDA and NAPTIP to report, they invited him and he refused to show up. Today I can smile because Dorothy Njemanze Foundation has taken up the matter and the Woman Affairs Ministry is aware of the case now and hopefully I will have access to my children which I so much desire.
Dorathy Njemanze Foundation focuses on creating a safer and better society free from violence against women, girls and other vulnerable groups. It is a survivor-run feminist, non for profit organisation that provides direct, real time support services to victims of SGBV.
