Violence Against Women and Girls:

Transcription

1 Issue 2: NSRP Learning Series Abuja, August The Observatory on Violence Against Women and Girls: Learning from the NSRP Experience

2 Contents Violence Against Women And Girls In Nigeria 2 The Observatory On Violence Against Women And Girls 4 Borno State 6 Kaduna State 7 Kano State 8 Plateau State 9 Rivers State 10 Progress and Achievements 11 Challenges 14 Key Lessons From The Observatory 16 Conclusions And Recommendations 18

3 Introduction Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is the most pervasive human rights violation. An estimated 35 percent of women and girls globally and 45.6 percent of women and girls in Africa have experienced physical and/ or sexual violence,¹ with little evidence available regarding the prevalence of psychological or emotional violence. In Nigeria, as in other contexts, levels of VAWG are exacerbated by the rising, persisting and worsening incidence of violent conflict that has characterised the nation in recent years. The Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP)² works on VAWG prevention and response, recognising the links between it and other forms of violent conflict.the Observatory on VAWG, a platform for reporting, referrals, response and advocacy for change, is central to this focus. Drawing on two years of practice, the experiences and reflections of staff and partners shared during a March 2016 workshop and the findings of a June 2016 internal review, ³this paper seeks to share lessons from managing NSRP supported observatories. ⁴It provides information on VAWG in Nigeria, the operations of the Observatory, as well as results and challenges. This document is expected to contribute to informal learning and inform similar interventions.

4 2 Violence Against Women and Girls in Nigeria Women and girls in Nigeria experience gender based violence (GBV) duringrelative peace and violence. VAWG is endemic, varying only in type and extent according to geographical, cultural and conflict context. It takes many forms, from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and domestic violence to sexual violence and forced pregnancy. It manifests differently at different life stages. Girls and young women experience multiple forms of violence in schools, universities and other educational institutions; with male staff thinking opportunities to obtain sexual favoursis a privilege of their position.⁵ In all age groups, twice as many women as men are trafficked, with those between six and fifteen years most likely to be trafficked.⁶ While 50.4 percent of women in the southeast and 60.7 percent of women in the southwest have experienced FGM/C,⁷ nearly half the women in the north are married by 16 and expected to have a child within a year.⁸ Particular groups of women and girls are more likely to experience violence. A study of girl hawkers in Anambra state (average age of 13) found 93.1 percent had experienced verbal abuse and 69.9 percent sexual abuse.⁹ Widowhood rites mean widows can be confined to homes, forced to shave heads and ostracised.¹⁰ Research in Plateau state found women and girls with disabilities are more likely to experience violence but less likely to be able to escape, be believed and access services accessible to them.¹¹ VAWG can also intensify and take new forms during violent conflict. Women and girls have experienced sexual violence and exploitation from armed groups, vigilante or community selfhelp groups and security forces. Their access to services, freedom of movement and physical security is curtailed as they are afraid to go out alone or at night. Abductions and forced marriage to fighters of Jama'atu Ahlis SunnahLida'awatiwal Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram, has been a feature of the northeast conflict, with at least 2,000 women and girls kidnapped between January 2014 and April 2015 alone. ¹²Violent conflict may also exacerbate existing trends, for example around early and forced marriage. There are reports of men coming to camps for internally displaced persons in Maiduguri to choose wives among girls present.¹³ 1. This paper was written by Chitra Nagarajan and Eleanor Nwadinobi of the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme with input from Habiba Ibrahim, Cosmos Dinee, Sendi Dauda and Buba Amin. 2. World Health Organisation, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine, South African Medical Research Council, Global and Regional Estimates of Violence against Women: Prevalence and Health Effects of Intimate Partner Violence and Non Partner Sexual Violence (2013) 3. The Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme aims to reduce violent conflict in Nigeria by supporting Nigeria institutions, organisations and individuals to be able to manage conflict non-violentlyand, in doing so, reduce its impact on the most vulnerable and marginalised. For more information, please see 4. S. Stevens, 'NSRP Review of Observatories,' internal review carried out in June Action Aid, Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria and Tanzania, (Institute of Education, 2011). 6. National Bureau of Statistics, Profile of Women and Men in Nigeria, (NBS, 2009). 7. National Bureau of Statistics, Profile of Women and Men in Nigeria, (NBS, 2009). 8. British Council, Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in Nigeria, (BC, 2012). 9. J.I. Ikechebelu. G.O. Udigwe, C.C. Ezechukwu, A.G. Ndinechi and N.N. Joe-Ikechebelu, 'Sexual Abuse among Juvenile Female Street Hawkers in Anambra State, Nigeria,' (2) African Journal of Reproductive Health E. Nwadinobi, Widowhood: Facts, Feelings and The Law,' (WIDO, 2008). 11. G. Jerry, P. Pam, C. Nnanna and C. Nagarajan, What Violence Means to Us: Women with Disabilities Speak, (Inclusive Friends & NSRP, 2015). Globally, they are twice as likely to experience domestic violence and up to three times more likely to experience rape by a stranger or acquaintance than women without disabilities: S. Ortoleva and H. Lewis, Forgotten Sisters A Report on Violence against Women with Disabilities: An Overview of its Nature, Scope, Causes and Consequences, (Violence Against Women with Disabilities Working Group, 2012). 12. Amnesty International, ' Our Job is to Shoot, Slaughter and Kill': Boko Haram's Reign of Terror in North East Nigeria,' 2015 AFR 44/1360/ Discussion with NSRP partners in Maiduguri, April 2016.

5 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 3 VAWG is a cause and consequence of women's unequal position in society. It is linked to barriers to financial independence and economic empowerment¹⁴ and patriarchal attitudes, cultures and institutions. It is used to prevent women from accessing political power and formal decision making spaces. ¹⁵In a 2015 survey, 30 percent of men agreed that female politicians sometimes deserve to be harassed to discourage them from going for men's positions. ¹⁶There is evidence of widespread violence against women candidates, voters, election officials and party members.¹⁷ VAWG restricts abilities of women and girls to realise economic, intellectual and social potentials. It can lead toexclusion from decisionmaking, poor health, acquiring a disability, dropping out of education and death. It has implications for the women and girls themselves, their communities and their nation. It is also connected to levels of violent conflict. Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention against All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and other relevant international treaties. It has a National Action Plan (NAP) and 6 State Action Plans (SAPs) on Women, Peace and Security. However, its record in passing national women's rights legislation is poor.¹⁸ The Gender and Equal Opportunities (GEO) Bill and Disability Rights Bill have yet to become federal law. Only after 14 years of advocacy did it pass its Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, the first piece of comprehensive VAWG legislation with jurisdiction in the Federal Capital Territories (FCTs). Its Child Rights Act, adopted in 2003, has not yet been enacted in all states. Thus, different, regimes exist across state lines. Not only is legislation not in place but there is also a widespread and deep-rooted culture of silence around VAWG. Women often feel hesitant to speak out, knowing they are likely to be blamed for what happened to them, shamed and face stigma. Their experience of sexual violence may affect marriage prospects. Their husband may reject them: for example, many women and girls abducted by JAS found themselves rejected and divorced by husbands when they returned.¹⁹ The perpetrator of violence against them is most likely to be their intimate partner or family member but this is not always seen as wrong: 43 percent of men and 28 percent of women believe there are times when a woman deserves to be beaten.²⁰ Key healthcare, counseling, legal aid and other services that survivors need are often not available, unaffordable and uncoordinated. The little that exists is run by dedicated and committed women's rights activists but are chronically underfunded. Survivors feel there is nothing to be gained and much to lose by speaking out. After all, it is they, not the perpetrator who is likely to attract social and sometimes legal condemnation. This lack of reporting means there is impunity for VAWG as perpetrators remain unpunished. Survivors sometimes withdraw their cases.women and girls do not get the services they need. Without data and analysis of trends that comes from reporting, advocates and champions can find it hard to push for changes in attitudes, policies and practices. 14. Women represent between percent of Nigeria's rural labour force but men are five times more likely to own land. Women run only 20 percent of enterprises in the formal sector. In 2007, only 32.5 percent of women were employed in the (non-agricultural) private sector. Men are twice as likely to secure finance as women: British Council, Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in Nigeria, (British Council, 2012). 15. As of 2016, Nigeria had yet to elect a Governor of any of its 36 states and had only 2 deputy governors. Only 5.6 percent of House of Representatives memors and 6.5 percent of Senators were women: International Parliamentary Union, Women in National Parliaments, available at last accessed E. Bell et al, Being a Man in Nigeria: Perceptions and Realities, (Voices for Change, 2015). 17. National Democratic Institute, Violence Against Women in Election: A Threat to Democratic Gains, A Report on the Stop VAWIE Pilot Project Implemented in the Kogi and Bayelsa Off-Cycle Gubernatorial Elections, publication forthcoming, draft shared with authors. 18. Please see C. Nagarajan and E. Nwadinobi, The National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security: Learning from the Nigerian Experience, (NSRP, 2016) for more details. 19. International Alert and UNICEF, 'Bad Blood': Perceptions of Children Born of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Women and Girls Associated with Boko Haram in Northeast Nigeria, (International Alert, 2016). 20. E. Bell et al, Being a Man in Nigeria: Perceptions and Realities, (Voices for Change, 2015).

6 4 The Observatory on Violence Against Women and Girls The Observatory is an initiative to address VAWG. It aims to ensure reporting, referral and response. It is an internet or web based 'virtual' safe space to which women and girls (and boys and men) can report cases of VAWG with Observatory Steering Committees (OBSTEC) functional in 5 states (Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Rivers). The OBSTEC comprises representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) such as the police and the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Development (MWASD), civil society organisations (CSOs), service providers and the media. It is run by a coordinating CSOwith experience in working on VAWG issues and chaired by an OBSTEC member chosen by other members. The data is analysed and recorded by the platform provider, The Fund for Peace, to which reports are sent. Given VAWG manifests differently, initial workshops developed state specific indicators to measure and describe prevalence. They also put in place an internalised guiding principle for the OBSTECs: anonymity, child protection, confidentiality, conflict sensitivity, safety and security of survivors and the need to offer the survivor options and the choice of what course of action to take. The Observatory also documents cases and notes trends. Monthly bulletins track specific incidents and overall trends in each state and nationally. These bulletins are distributed to those in a position to take action to respond to and prevent VAWG. OBSTEC members also use these bulletins in their internal (from a government representative to their colleagues) and external (to entities outside the OBSTEC) advocacy. In doing so, the Observatory contributes to breaking the culture of silence, and providing the support to survivors of violence and effective response to prevent and respond to VAWG. The OBSTECs receive reports from a wide range of sources, including peace clubs for boys and girls in communities in which NSRP works, NSRP partners, health workers, police officers, paralegals and community members. The OBSTECs support survivors, linking them to services, helping them through reporting and legal processes and intervening with families and communities if necessary.

7 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 5 Diagram 1: The Observatory Model Observatory is established. OBSTEC formed and trained Observatory is promoted by OBSTEC members, Peace Clubs and Coord CSOs Multiplier Effect: Sensitisation activities supports VAWG prevention. Coord CSO and CBSTEC refer and respond - survivors are supported, perpetrators challenged Multiplier Effect: Effective response generates more confidence and more reporting Women, girls and communities are sensitised on VAWG and aware that support is available Survivors, their families, peers and communities make reports and ask for justice or support NSRP and partners established links with other NSRP interventions to leverage opportunities and relationships, encourage reporting and ensure integrated approaches. Some examples of what this means in practice are as follows:! Research commissioned, for example on violence against women and girls with disabilities, fed into developing and amending the Observatory approach.! Partners (civil society and government), whether working at community, state or federal levels, are all aware of the existence of the Observatory and refer cases to it.! Women, Peace and Security Networks (WPSNs) supported by NSRP at federal level and in 8 focal states raise awareness of VAWG among the general public and government actors, advocate for the development of policies on women, peace and security, including VAWG, in the form of a NAP and SAPs and monitor implementation to ensure effectiveness.! Media partners NSRP trained and mentoredon conflict sensitivity are members of the OBSTEC and use their platforms to 1) feature discussion on VAWG and try to change attitudes 2) publicise the existence of the Observatory and how to access it and 3) hold actors to account to ensure justice in individual cases and push for institutional change.! MDAs and civil societies that NSRP engage through conflict management mechanisms are briefed on VAWG incidence and trends and some of them work closely with OBSTEC members to drive change.! Reports from the Observatory are used in advocacy by all NSRP partners. Different OBSTEC models operate in different states.

8 6 Borno State Inauguration and Membership The Borno State Observatory Steering Committee was inaugurated on the 8th of December The coordinating CSO is Women in a New Nigeria (WINN) while the OBSTEC chair is the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). The membership consists of; National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Department of State Security (DSS) National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Borno Women, Peace and Security Network (WPSN) Federation of Muslim Women's Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Women's Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) Borno Radio Television (BRTV) Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) Joint National Association of People with Disabilities (JONAPWD) International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Women in a New Nigeria (WINN) Unique Features The unique feature of the Borno State Observatory Steering Committee is its ability to strategise and effectively intervene in the face of grave challenges given the scale of need due to the insurgency in the zone.! Through the peace clubs, there is a direct link to vulnerable women and girls who are most likely to experience VAWG (e.g. street beggars, hawkers, widows of the insurgency, commercial sex workers and women with disabilities(and their children) Challenges! Lack of funding, so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services.! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis, and so they can only offer limited services.! Uneven engagement with MDAs.Most of the representatives of the MDAs are low level staff who lack the power to effect change and recommendations agreed upon in meeting.! Services that exist cannot match immense scale of need given the numbers of IDPs, abductions of women and girls etc. Potential ways forward! Develop a properly integrated referral pathway via humanitarian agencies! There is a need to have a distinctive case management processes and procedures.! Give training to OBSTEC institutions so they can deliver! Explore provision of proper psychosocial care.! Explore setting up safe house given lack of physical safe spaces for survivors Strength! There is an active engagement of police, with a desk officer designated in charge of VAWG.

9 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 7 Kaduna State Inauguration and Membership The Kaduna State Observatory Steering committee was inauguratedon 28th May The coordinating CSO is Education as a Vaccine (EVA). The OBSTEC chair is the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). The Kaduna OBSTEC membership consists of; Kaduna State Ministry of Health Kaduna State Ministry of Justice (MOJ) State Bureau of Statistics (SBS) National Orientation Agency (NOA) Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Development (MWASD) State AIDS Control Agency (SACA) State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Gender Awareness Trust (GAT) League of Democratic Women Women with Disabilities and Self-Reliance Centre Federation of Muslim Women's Association (FOMWAN) Jama'atu Narul Islam (JNI) Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Arewa Research Centre International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Education as Vaccine (EVA) Legal aid organizations, Media organizations, Market Women Associations Unique Features Kaduna State OBSTEC has a strong and ongoing engagement and embedment in government institutions. Strength! Links with the State Bureau of Statistics (SBS) which publishes Observatory data! Regular meetings with the State Commissioner for Justice on cases.! Clear plan to ensure sustainability and integration into government structures! Work with hospitals so information on VAWG and the Observatory reaches patients; key in encouraging reporting! Particular focus on people with disabilities! Establishment of sexual assault referral units in 4 general hospitals by the state government! Media platforms now reach non-nsrp communities. Challenges! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis so offer limited services! Very little psychosocial support available, particularly for those in rural areas! Lack of a legal framework that supports prosecutions! Survivors drop cases as they often discouraged by court proceedings, pressure from families and threats by perpetrators! Interference in investigations by community leaders and security officers Potential ways forward! Leverage on allies in government and gain entry points into health sector! Conclude discussions with MWASD on appointment of officer who will be responsible for Observatory coordination! Provide technical support for the appointed officer.

10 8 Kano State Inauguration and Membership The Kano state Observatory Steering committee was inaugurated on 22nd May The coordinating CSO is Education as a Vaccine (EVA). The chair is the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). The Kano OBSTEC membership is made up of the following: Nigeria Police Force Women Peace and Security Network Kano State Ministry of Information (MOI) Society of Women Development and Empowerment of Nigeria (SWODEN) Vigilante groups Glo Nigeria (telecommunications provider) Freedom Radio National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) All Tijjani Association Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Voices of Divorcees and Widows Association of Nigeria (VOWAN) Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) Mobilizing for Development (M4D) State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Education as Vaccine (EVA) Unique Features There is a strong focus on criminal justice with the strongest OBSTEC relationship with the police. relevant to the context! Active involvement of the Hisbah Board (Islamic police force) with wide community out-reaches! A very dynamic and energetic police representative Challenges! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis and as a result offer limited help.! A weak systemic capacity with response agencies and lack of referral centers e.g. only one woman police officer was trained to investigate VAWG! Lean MDA budget limits proactivity and capability.! Prevailing political and social culture! Limited CSO community Potential ways forward! Engage with Emir (traditional ruler) of Kano! Provide wider police training on VAWG! Work with Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) currently being set up! Expand composition of OBSTEC to bring in institutions with mandate to deliver services. Strength! There is a strong link with the SBS which publishes Observatory data! Strong peer network! Engagement of powerful agencies

11 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 9 Plateau State Inauguration and Membership The Plateau State Observatory Steering committee was inaugurated on 27th Jan The coordinating CSO is Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS). The OBSTEC chair is the Permanent Secretary of MWASD. Membership: Plateau State Ministry of Women's Affairs (MWASD) National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Plateau State Ministry of Information State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Department of State Security (DSS) Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Plateau State Hospital Gynecological Unit, Inclusive Friends International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Federation of Muslim Women's Association (FOMWAN) Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Women Peace and Security Network(WPSN) Silverbird Communications Jos CWEENS Unique Features Runs alongside a safe house that provides emergency accommodation religious leaders and community members! Provides high quality data and strong subject matter expertise! High profile prosecutions, with media critical in pushing for justice. Challenges! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis and so they offer limited services.! Capacity weaknesses within response agencies (police, judges, MWASD)! Systemic social issues i.e. stigma and unwillingness of families to follow up cases! Limited reports from peace clubs Potential ways forward! Start thinking of sustainability/ transition (visit Kaduna OBSTEC to learn and get ideas)! Engage health and education sectors more holistically! Reach out to the SBS! Work with the SARC currently being set up Strength! Proactive, engaged and passionate individuals! Safe house in demand with referrals from MDAs and neighboring states! Added new members e.g. Department for State Security and State Hospital! Addresses VAWG trends through consultative town hall meetings with security agencies, traditional and

12 10 Rivers State Inauguration and Membership The Rivers State Observatory Steering committee was inaugurated on 30th Jan The coordinating CSO is Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN). The OBSTEC chair is the State Solicitor General. Membership consists of the following: Rivers State Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Development Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare Rivers State Ministry Of Justice Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, National Human Rights Commission Human Rights Unit of the Rivers State Police Command Nigerian Security and Civil DefenceCorp Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Women Peace and Security Network, Medical Women's Association of Nigeria Christian Association of Nigeria Federation of Muslim Women's Association International Federation of Women Lawyers Vigilante groups, Media organizations, Private sector companies, Joint Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD)! Resolves cases through community representatives! Strong relationship with peace clubs! High quality of reporting and strong subject matter expertise Challenges! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis hence there is a limited assistance.! Poor capacity and interest of MWASD! Lack of resources for logistics costs to visit survivors Potential ways forward! Train wider group of doctors to identify and support survivors.! Follow up on Deputy Governor's undertaking to set up a shelter for survivors! Focus advocacy on budgetary provision to ensure more effective response mechanisms Unique Features Health-centric, community based approaches. Strength! There is a high degree of personal commitment! Well-developed engagement with community structures including churches, mosques, vigilante groups and community leaders

13 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 11 Progress and Achievements While the Observatory started operation in May 2014, it took a phased approach to launch of the Steering Committees. The first OBSTECs were launched in Kano and Kaduna in May 2014 followed by the OBSTECs of Plateau and Rivers in January 2015 then finally the Borno OBSTEC in December The OBSTECs are naturally at different stages of development and NSRP has been able to learn from the experience of setting up the initial OBSTECs to inform set up in subsequent states. A recent review found that an impressive amount was being achieved: 'As well as providing a safe space for women and girls connected to NSRP and generating some good quality and detailed evidence, it is functioning as a vehicle to challenge social norms and provide tangible and much needed support to vulnerable women and girls, albeit at a comparably small scale.' ²¹Some of the progresses recorded include the following; Providing a platform for change In the five states where they are operational, the observatories have provided a common platform for joint gathering and verification of data, trend analysis and decision making around appropriate response. Although the level of engagement of MDAs does vary across states, the OBSTECs are slowly building a constituency of responders and, in doing so, increasing awareness of VAWG and commitment to take action among MDAs with a mandate around this. Breaking cultures of silence and impunity The Observatories are contributing to breaking the cultures of silence and impunity. OBSTEC members, particularly in Plateau and Rivers, talk about VAWG trends during community meetings so community members and leaders know what is happening, are encouraged to change attitudes and behaviour and take action. Radio stations regularly talk about VAWG. Topics of phone-in programmes include discussion of what forms VAWG takes, its incidence and prevalence, the need to blame perpetrators not survivors and rethinking what culture, religion and tradition require. Listeners are given information on how to report and ways to support survivors. Not only does this contribute to changing attitudes, but it encourages reporting. For example, due to hearing the Kano OBSTEC Chair speak on radio, a woman persuaded her daughter, against familypressure, to report the sexual abuse that had happened to her granddaughter on her way home from school. Achieving justice in individual cases due to OBSTEC networks. Common membership of the OBSTEC has made it easier to react quickly to achieve justice in particular cases. For example, the Plateau OBSTEC dealt with a case in 2015 where a man, after years of perpetrating abuse hit his wife on the head with a machete. She was admitted to intensive care. When those nearby took him to the police station, they were met with laughter by police officers who had seen this man brought to the station many times previously. The man was arrested only after CWEENS contacted the State Commissioner of Police. A 13 year old girl was allegedly raped by a 73 year old man who had lured her into an unoccupied building. The case was referred to the Kaduna OBSTEC. Members took the survivor with her mother to MWASD where she was provided with counselling. She received medical treatment including testing for sexual transmitted diseases. The alleged perpetrator is in detention under court order. The next hearing is scheduled for August The OBSTEC continues to support the survivor and her family in this case. 21. S. Stevens, 'NSRP Review of Observatories,' internal review carried out in June 2016.

14 12 A 12 year old girl was forced by her parents to marry a man much older than her and enter a polygamous marriage. She told her parents she did not want to be married and was beaten by her father for doing so. Once married, she was tied down and raped by her husband. After two weeks of enduring violence and trauma, she put rat poison in his food.her husband and three others with whom he, unknown to her, shared his food, died. She said she did not know rat poison could kill people: she only wanted him to have a bad stomach ache which would make him divorce her. This case was first reported in a newspaper with EVA, the coordinating CSO making a direct referral. All the members of the Kano OBSTEC became involved in her case, attending most of her court hearings. They held a series of strategic meetings to work on her release from court detention and her defence. FIDA ran her legal defence while other members mobilised civil society, sent out press releases, sponsored media coverage and spoke out against early and forced marriage to raise public pressure and scrutiny of decision making. The OBSTEC met the Kano State Attorney General who also serves as the Commissioner for Justice. He wrote to the presiding High Court judge, asking for her immediate release and termination of her case. Six months after the case was documented, the girl was released from detention and the case against her dropped. OBSTEC members continue to follow up with her to ensure she is receiving the services she needs and being treated well by her family and community. Internal advocacy within OBSTEC member agencies Being part of the OBSTEC has enabled members to use information provided in meetings to drive forward change within their own institutions. For example, the representative of the police on the Kano OBSTEC works within the office of the State Commissioner of Police. He heard of endemic delays the public faced after reporting VAWG to the police before any action was taken through the OBSTEC. He raised this with the Commissioner who gave a press conference during which he pledged that the Kano State Police would take VAWG very seriously and that police officers should refer cases directly to his office. He personally filed all 57 VAWG cases that had been outstanding in Kano police stations, some for months, in the courts to show commitment to change. External advocacy to other actors OBSTECs also come together to conduct joint advocacy to outside actors to inform them of issues and to press for change. For example, OBSTEC members in Kaduna found, through a sister of an attendee of a NSRP peace club, that one particular hotel in Kafanchan was notorious for being able to provide underage trafficked girls, some as young as 10 years old, to men for sex. They met officials of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) who took action as did members of the NSRP supported Community Peace Partnerships (CPP). A few months later, NAPTIP did a follow up investigation, found this practice was still going on in other hotels in the area and developed a strategy to stop this practice. Mainstreaming VAWG as a peace and security concern As a result of OBSTEC efforts, discussion on VAWG is also taking place among actors concerned with peace and security. There is increasing awareness that VAWG is a threat to human security and, as such, taking action on VAWG is part of responding to conflict and violence.

15 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 13 Focusing on marginalised and excluded women and girls most likely to experience violence The OBSTECs have particularly tried to focus on marginalised groups of women and girls, to conduct outreach and develop mechanisms whereby they can report VAWG. The Kaduna OBSTEC for example has a very dynamic member who heads women with disabilities organisation which runs peace clubs for children with disabilities, from which high numbers of VAWG cases reach the Observatory. The Borno OBSTEC too is focusing on women and girls whose marginalisation has increased as a result of insurgency related violence. Champions within government and those in civil society outside coming together in the OBSTEC has been a critical factor in enabling success. Together, they are able to strategiseon how to navigate the political system, take advantage of opportunities and entry points and decide which arguments and approaches are most likely to work. Networking and discussion among the OBSTEC, which is not confined to meetings but also happens informally on a daily basis, for example through technology enabled platforms like WhatsApp groups, enables members to communicate on cases, support one another in making referrals and follow up and discuss new possibilities for advocacy. Finally, the personal commitment, motivation and passion of OBSTEC members and the coordinating CSO is the driving force for progress to date. As will be seen below, members regularly go far above and beyond what they are expected to do in the face of enormous challenges.

16 14 Challenges Although much has been done in the past two years, significant challenges, which are largely interconnected, have hindered this work. Reporting can be difficult In many communities, telephone network coverage may be patchy. In some NSRP communities, people have to move significant distances to be able to access the network then are not within range of telephone signal for follow up calls. They may not have the electricity to charge their mobile telephones or the money to buy credit to make calls to report. Working through intermediaries, such as facilitators of peace clubs, rather than there being a direct link with OBSTEC members also adds to the difficulty. Those carrying out NSRP interventions may not be as invested in working on VAWG, feel they have little incentive to report and not raise issues of VAWG in discussion to the extent required. Some OBSTEC member agencies are not engaged The composition of the OBSTEC varies between states. For example, the Kaduna OBSTEC has more participation of government institutions than the Kano OBSTEC which has more CSO representation. The latter brings challenges as CSOs can respond but they can fill in the gaps that exist, with institutional mandates resting with government. Resources are stretched too tightly The Observatory tries to be an evidence and advocacy initiative as well as one that helps survivors in individual cases. It tries to generate enough reports to track prevalence and trends, break the culture of silence through reporting and social norm change, help survivors gain access to better quality services and advocate for better prevention and response from government. It proves difficult to do all these four things well, especially with the limited resources available but all these planks of the intervention are needed to provide holistic services, be ethical and encourage reporting. Lack of funds The Observatory initiative has limited funding and no provision to pay for services. As a result, OBSTEC members frequently use their personal funds to travel (sometimes far out of town) to meet survivors, take them to hospitals, courtrooms and police stations, and negotiate with their families or community leaders. The Chair of the Borno OBSTEC in particular described being overwhelmed by the scale of need in the face of neither the OBSTEC nor the personal capacity to match even a fraction of what is required.²² Borno, due to the insurgency and mass displacement, is seeing lots of violence against women and girls. The referral pathway is very critical but we have lots of challenges that hinder how services are rendered. We have no safe space in Borno. Most people live in IDP camps. Where do we take them? If in host communities, where do they go? We are offering services at an individual level but have limitations. Given the number of VAWG cases in Borno, the Observatory will flood once it is known to exist.'fida member in Borno and Chair of the Borno OBSTEC, 3 months after its launch 22. Discussion during Borno OBSTEC training for police officers in Maiduguri, February 2016

17 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 15 Lack of systems to respond to survivors Services that survivors need often do not exist, are unaffordable, inaccessible and/ or of low quality. Psycho-social support in particular is almost absent. In Kaduna for example, the state ministry of women's affairs does not have a single psychologist on staff and in Borno, the State Neuro-Psychiatry Centre no longer exists as all staff had fled due to the insurgency. Response agencies, including hospitals, the police and justice systems suffer from systemic lack of capacity. A programme of institutional strengthening is badly needed. Although OBSTEC members and coordinating CSOs have been proactive and taken steps to build the capacity of some agencies, their resources and skills to do so are limited. Members are concerned as to whether response is as full, rapid or as holistic as required as a result, especially given that people are now starting to speak out and know that the Observatory is available. They worry about the potential harm and backlash that may come about as a result of people speaking out and not being supported, either because services are overwhelmed by the demand the Observatory has created or because NSRP funding has ended. Response can be slower than desired If complicated cases arise, five to ten members of the OBSTEC may need to follow up. This slows down the release of information and response that survivors or their parents or guardians may receive. Reliance on voluntary commitment of individuals The OBSTEC depends on the interest and passion of individual members, rather than institutional structures, for its success. OBSTECs have seen engagement of government and security agencies in particular being dependent on individuals rather than their institutional mandate. In some cases, member agencies which had been disengaged completely changed approach when a new person was appointed as a representative and vice versa. The drive of some OBSTEC members from both government and civil society who devote significant amounts of personal time and money to ensure justice and services for survivors is undeniable and must be strongly commended. However, this is not a sustainable model and one likely to lead to burnout of the individuals concerned. Culture of acceptance and normalisation of (certain types of) VAWG Although progress has been made in breaking the culture of silence as detailed above, this is partial and tends to be confined to certain types of violence and particular groups of survivors. As a result of the OBSTEC's work, sexual violence and abuse against girls (and boys) is being regularly condemned, there is acceptance that this happens in 'our' communities and parents and guardians are increasingly coming forward to report despite the fear that still persists around doing so. These types of cases make up a significant proportion of Observatory reports. People are less likely to report cases where survivors are adult women or where the perpetrators are husbands or partners. This is not surprising considering women are more likely to be blamed for their behavior, their dressing, being outside the home at certain hours. Withdrawal of a case before its conclusion by survivors or their families Survivors and their families withdraw their cases for a number of reasons. They may not want her to face stigma, ostracism and other consequences, especially if the perpetrator and his family are known to them. Given the majority of perpetrators are family members, including intimate partners, the pressure to drop cases is particularly strong. There are few or no shelters to which a survivor can turn to escape these consequences. The process of bringing a perpetrator to justice is lengthy and expensive. There is often no eye witness testimony, DNA testing or preservation of evidence meaning that means of identification is not present for prosecution.

18 16 Monitoring and evaluation systems that do not capture all change The June 2016 review of the Observatories found 'dynamic and multi-layered platforms' with activity happening daily by multiple people and agencies. However, most of what is happening is not captured by current monitoring and evaluation systems. It is difficult to design such systems to be able to measure change that is often slow, uneven and unexpected and to track results in a way that goes beyond the anecdotal but rather fits the stories of change within a coherent narrative of progress.

19 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 17 Key Lessons From The Observatory! It is important to involve all relevant actors with reach and community trust and acceptance from the start of the intervention. For example, it was only a few months after its launch, that the Hisbah Board joined the Kano OBSTEC despite 1,300 cases of VAWG being reported to it a month. Planning should involve an initial scoping exercise of who has the most reach and to whom communities report that goes beyond the usual actors to include entities that may be informal or semi-formal in nature.! Survivors need a holistic range of services. They may not want to report to the police and seek redress in the courts, for good reason given the stigma and shame that being a survivor of violence attracts, and attitudes and practices of some security and legal personnel. In many cases, OBSTEC members had an automatic presumption that the legal route was what was required, especially in cases of rape. This assumption needs to be addressed directly in initial training and the position of the Observatory made clear.! It takes time for the OBSTEC to properly constitute itself. All OBSTECs described a period of significant turnover in the initial months. Member agencies would send different people to meetings or attend inconsistently, with follow up being patchy as a result. This pattern is currently being seen in Borno, where the OBSTEC was launched only a few months ago. OBSTEC membership seems to take 6 months to settle down after which members are more engaged, meet more frequently and start to communicate informally on a daily basis.! Sequencing is important and signs of change come slowly. Ensuring representatives have the passion, and commitment, have internalised goals and principles and building trust and confidence between members takes time but is vital for action. Next comes raising awareness and trying to encourage reporting. All those involved with the OBSTEC who took part in the June 2016 review unanimously felt that the hard work of engaging communities and stakeholders on VAWG, in some OBSTECs for up to18 months, was only now truly reaping fruit. Reports are increasing month on month. Interest in the Observatory and VAWG is building due to sensitisation activities, the work of NSRP partners implementing other interventions and media engagement as well as championing by individual members of OBSTEC in their own families, institutions and communities. A lot of awareness raising has been needed to break the prevailing culture of silence. In just one year since it started, all we've been able to do is raise consciousness in society. Now we are seeing more and more reports as people are breaking the silence. We had 151 cases from Jan 2015-Jan From Jan-May 2016, 142 cases! The benefits are only just being realised.'nirigoyit, CWEENS Programme Manager, Plateau OBSTEC

20 18! Receiving greater numbers of reports requires increased resourcing to OBSTECs so they can tap into larger data sources. Although direct reports to OBSTEC are steadily increasing, reports to OBSTEC member agencies do not form part of data collection and analysis. Hospitals, police stations, ministries of women's affairs, social workers and the Hisbah Board all receive reports of VAWG but these are not reflected in Observatory reports. Accessing this data requires time and resources which simply are not there at present. OBSTEC members as a result prioritise monitoring and responding to cases directly reported to them, meaning data is not as representative as it could otherwise be.! Awareness raising and sensitisation and quality referral and response work together to generate reports and challenge social norms. Not only is linking survivors with referral services vital from an ethical standpoint but the time and investment by OBSTEC on outreach and referrals is necessary and drives reporting. Successful prosecutions are often reported in the media. Word spreads that bringing perpetrators to justice is possible. Quick and effective responses, support to survivors and work to change the social norm of the culture of silence has encouraged people to come forward. The OBSTEC model creates a virtuous cycle of increased awareness and confidence by survivors to report.! Lack of capacity of institutions and the lack of available, affordable and accessible services have been key constraints hindering operations. Similar interventions in the future should build in systematic investment in strengthening capacity and service provision alongside work to change social norms, raise awareness and monitor trends and adequately resource this work.! There is much that OBSTEC members and coordinating CSOs can learn from each other. In March 2016, NSRP organised a programme review workshop bringing together staff and partners working across its focal states. Those present found the experience hugely beneficial, learning a lot from tactics and strategies that had worked and failed in other states. Mechanisms to ensure regular exchange and cross-learning should be put in place.! Measures to ensure institutionalisation and sustainability need to start early. At present, the Observatory has no framework to embed itself into government institutions and ensure its continued existence after NSRP funding. As soon as possible after its launch and at a time where some traction has developed, steps should be taken to integrate OBSTEC responsibilities into job descriptions and budgets of member MDAs to ensure engagement does not rely on the individual. A roadmap for sustainability that includes a process of absorption of OBSTEC structures into a relevant MDA needs to be developed and implemented.

21 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 19 Conclusions and Recommendations If the Observatory stops, it's just like finding the light at the end of tunnel and then closing the light. It needs to be strengthened.' Permanent Secretary of Plateau State Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Development and Chair of the Plateau OBSTEC. The Observatory has been instrumental in driving discussion and action in focal states, with tangible results in individual cases and in institutional policies and practices already visible. At a March 2016 workshop to review programme interventions, OBSTEC chairs and representatives of coordinating CSOs came together with NSRP staff to reflect on the way forward. The recommendations below draw from those developed by the group. 'If the Observatory stops, it's just like finding the light at the end of tunnel and then closing the light. It needs to be strengthened.' Permanent Secretary of MWASD, Plateau State and Chair of the Plateau OBSTEC! In Borno, where the OBSTEC is newest hence the least developed, develop proper integrated referral pathways, clarify case management processes and procedures and coordinate more strongly with humanitarian and international organisations to share information and link up with regards to response.! Discuss and agree ways to include cases reported to member agencies in Observatory reports to have more representative data and be able to analyse trends more accurately.! Explore links with the SBS, if it exists in the state so it publishes Observatory data as part of government statistics, as done by the Kaduna and Kano OBSTECs.! Strengthen the capacity of institutions to deliver on their mandate, including through working with other development programmes aimed at particular sectors such as healthcare.! Conduct sustained advocacy to strategic influencers on budget support for MDAs to strengthen response and enable the provision of accessible, affordable and high quality services.! Work with government structures in rural areas not covered by NSRP programming to be able to reach survivors living there and enable reporting and response.! Put in place strategies to address the lack of physical shelters and psychosocial support. These strategies could include: 1. Investigating the use of the homes of traditional leaders as temporary shelters 2. Supporting a CSO to set up a shelter where none exists, learning from the Plateau experience 3. Training community members in psychological first aid to ensure support for the majority of survivors 4. Advocating for hospitals to provide free psychosocial care for those with acute mental health issues 5) Addressing stigma around mental health through using the power of the media and key influencers. Develop sustainability strategies for each OBSTEC at the state level and explore options for strengthening links with national level governance. Bring together those working in geographical locations together more often to discuss, share and learn from each other, especially with sustainability in mind, for example through a national forum.

22 20 Annex 1: Observatory Steering Committees Across NSRP States Borno Kaduna Kano Plateau Rivers Start date 8 December May May Jan Jan 2015 Coordinating CSO Women in a New Nigeria (WINN) Education as a Vaccine (EVA) Education as a Vaccine (EVA) Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS) Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN) OBSTEC Chair International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) FIDA FIDA Permanent Secretary of MWASD State Solicitor General Membership National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Department of State Security (DSS), National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Borno Women, Peace and Security Network (WPSN), Federation of Muslim Women's Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Women's Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Borno Radio Television (BRTV), Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Joint National Association of People with Disabilities (JONAPWD), FIDA, WINN Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice (MOJ), State Bureau of Statistics (SBS), National Orientation Agency (NOA), MWASD, State AIDS Control Agency (SACA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), NSCDC, NPF, Gender Awareness Trust, League of Democratic Women, Women with Disabilities Self Reliance Centre, FOMWAN, Jama'atuNasrul Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Arewa Research Centre, legal aid organisations, media organisations, market women's associations, FIDA, EVA NPF, WPSN, Ministry of Information (MOI), Society of Women Development and Empowerment of Nigeria (SWODEN), vigilante groups, Glo Nigeria (telecommunications provider), Freedom Radio, NBS, All Tijjani Association, CAN, Voices of Divorcees and Widows Association of Nigeria (VOWAN), Halliru Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative, Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), Mobilising for Development (M4D), State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI), FIDA, EVA MWASD, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), MOI, SEMA, DSS, NPF, Plateau State Hospital Gynaecological Unit, Inclusive Friends, FIDA, FOMWAN, CAN, WPSN,Silverbird Jos, CWEENS MWASD, Ministry of Social Welfare, MOJ, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, NHRC, Human Rights Unit of the State Command of the NPF, NSCDC, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), WPSN, vigilante groups, media organisations, NHRC, private sector companies, JONAPWD, CAN, FOMWAN, FIDA, MWAN Unique Features Strategising how to most effectively intervene in the face of grave challenges given the scale of need due the insurgency Furthest ahead in engaging and embedding in government institutions Focus on criminal justice with the strongest OSTEC relationship with the police Runs alongside a safe house that provides emergency accommodation Health-centric, community based approaches

23 THE OBSERVATORY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: LEARNING FROM THE NSRP EXPERIENCE 21 Borno Kaduna Kano Plateau Rivers Strengths! Active engagement of police, with desk officer designated in charge of VAWG as a result of engagement! Through peace clubs, have direct link to vulnerable women and girls most likely to experience VAWG (street beggars, hawkers, widows of the insurgency, commercial sex workers and women with disabilities (and their children)! Links with the State Bureau of Statistics (SBS) which publishes Observatory data! Regular meetings with the State Commissioner for Justice on cases! Clear plan to ensure sustainability and integration into government structures! Work with hospitals so information on VAWG and the Observatory reaches patients; key in encouraging reporting! Particular focus on people with disabilities! Establishment of sexual assault referral units in 4 general hospitals by the state government! Media platforms reach non NSRP communities! Links with the SBS which publishes Observatory data! Strong peer network! Engagement of powerful agencies relevant to the context! Active involvement of the HisbahBoard (Islamic police force) with wide community reach! Very dynamic and energetic police representative! Proactive, engaged and passionate individuals! Safe house in demand with referrals from MDAs and neighbouring states! Addednew members e.g. Department for State Security and State Hospital! Addresses VAWG trends through consultative town hall meetings with security agencies, traditional and religious leaders and community members! Provides high quality data and strong subject matter expertise! High profile prosecutions, with media critical in pushing for justice! High degree of personal commitment! Well developed engagement with community structures including churches, mosques, vigilante groups and community leaders! Resolves cases through community representatives! Strong relationship with peace clubs! High quality of reporting and strong subject matter expertise

24 22 Borno Kaduna Kano Plateau Rivers Challenges! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis so limited in how much can help! Uneven engagement with MDAs with low level representatives without power to effect change sent to meetings! Services that exist cannot match immense scale of need given the numbers of IDPs, abductions of women and girls etc.! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis so limited in how much can help! Very little psychosocial support available, particularly for those in rural areas! Lack of a legal framework that supports prosecutions! Survivors drop cases as discouraged by court proceedings, pressure from families and threats by perpetrators! Interference in investigations by community leaders and security officers! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis so limited in how much can help! Systemic capacity weaknesses with response agencies and lack of referral centres e.g. only one woman police officer trained to investigate VAWG! Limited MDA budget limits proactivity and capability! Prevailing political and social culture! Limited CSO community! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis so limited in how much can help! Capacity weaknesses within response agencies (police, judges, MWASD)! Systemic social issues i.e. stigma and unwillingness of families to follow up cases! Limited reports from peace clubs! Lack of funding so OBSTEC members use personal resources to follow up cases and ensure services! Members (lawyers and doctors) work on a pro-bono basis so limited in how much can help! Poor capacity and interest of MWASD! Lack of resources for logistics costs to visit survivors Potential Ways Forward! Develop properly integrated referral pathways including via humanitarian agencies! Clarify case management processes and procedures! Give training to OBSTEC institutions so can deliver! Explore provision of proper psychosocial care! Explore setting up safe house given lack of physical safe spaces for survivors! Leverage allies in government and entry points into health sector! Conclude discussions with MWASD on appointment of officer who will be responsible for Observatory coordination! Technical support of appointed officer! Engage with Emir (traditional ruler) of Kano! Provide wider police training on VAWG! Work with Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) currently being set up! Expand composition of OBSTEC to bring in institutions with mandate to deliver services! Start thinking of sustainability/ transition (visit Kaduna OBSTEC to learn and get ideas)! Engage health and education sectors more holistically! Reach out to the SBS! Work with the SARC currently being set up! Train wider group of doctors to identify and support survivors! Follow up on Deputy Governor's undertaking to set up a shelter for survivors! Focus advocacy on budgetary provision to ensure more effective response mechanisms

25 Find out more Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme Address: Website: 20 Mississippi Street, Maitama, Abuja Photography Front cover Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme August 2016