I really do appreciate the efforts made by organizations to train people on gender based violence. In our context of war/ socio political crisis,there are a lot of safe spaces and child friendly spaces created and awareness on GBV is being raised especially to those who frequent these spaces. I had a little chat with some students girls to see if they have any knowledge on GBV . They knew just the obvious rape. I tried to find out if they are given talks in school on GBV and the answer was no. We are in a crisis situation where we experience black outs for longer hours,limited internet bandwidth ,all these limits awareness on GBV. Maybe talks on GBV can be given to ongoing schools where possible in our community. Education and empowerment for me is a solution to fight against gender based violence. The government should tighten the penalty for perpetrators instead of pushing blames on victims.
This story was submitted in response to Sharing Solutions: Ending GBV.
Dear Carine,
This is a dilemma. But not an impossibility. Which turns a dilemma into a challenge instead. Art, song, poetry, writing, drawing, dancing, singing, story telling are all creative vehicles and good use of youth energy. Awareness can be taught and expressed through creativity. Yes internet and bandwidth are limited, but it does exist. All creativity can be posted on social media. A very simple song can accompany the site and campaign, to become a short, simple anthem. Creativity is the grassroots expression that transcends all boundaries. Once creativity is unleashed, it becomes a storm of hope. Start with social media, even with the limitations. Bit by bit it will grow. And can even go VIRAL! Just saying!
Hugs...JoMarie
Thanks for the encouragement sister
Hello Carine,
I was reading a post earlier that hinted on the broadness of education, and you raise the same question here, that education is not linear, simply academic, but rather should be about life, and everything that pertains to it. You are already ahead f the curriculum developers in this one, so I hope that you can accelerate it to key leaders who may be able to take it further. You could even start small in community outreach gatherings weave if you have five minutes to speak, salvaging the time before the systems drag themselves into place. This is really insightful. Good on you! I hope that a awareness and safety a-plenty will flow from this!
Thanks so much for the encouragement .I will certainly look for a way of doing that
Thank you Carine, i am interested to learn more about the outside spaces. have you started on a basic curriculum, or have you found any already written anywhere?
thank you
Oh sister thanks .unfortunately I don't have any basic curriculum on that. I don't have a proper training on that .its just the little knowledge I gather that I share with those girls.I will very much appreciate if you could provide me with something like the basic curriculum. So you would also give me directions on how to go about it.thanks again sister karuna.
Dearest Carine, the best resource i can give you, from the usa perspective if a book written by the director of women's health at our local Veteran's hospital. she has a black belt and offered trainings in sexual self defense. women in our military are very vulnerable to sexual harrassment and assault by OUR military men. here is a link to a review, it is available online to buy.chapter one is Awareness of violence against women: crimes defined and the facts/myths and function, intimate partner violence and child abuse, and then, the aftermath of the trauma. chapter two is A Feeling of Self Confidence and self worth (how girls are raised to be "nice" and "serve" men. with helpful exercises. chapter 3 is personal safety. chap 4 The Question of Fighting Back: I can't, i shouldn't i wont. chap 5 learning self defense-with stick drawings of sexual self defense.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2766160-lifelines
i purchased a case of the books, from the author directly-meeting her in person in a park for picnic lunch! and handed them out free to the teens i served as the clinician in the local county health dept birth control clinic. good luck.
Thanks so much .the material will be helpful. Now i keep thinking about our military too.I don't know if any survey on GBV has been done among our Cameron military.Given our context right now approaching them its not easy because of the socio political crisis we are in .
well, this just came out today, though it has been in the news for some weeks re an investigation. unfortunately this is only one base:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/09/fort-hood-army-base-offi...
The US army has fired or suspended 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at its Fort Hood, Texas, base and ordered policy changes to address chronic failures of leadership that contributed to a widespread pattern of violence, including murder, sexual assault and harassment.
Wow!! I just love the USA .they are serious in implementing policy. Our context here in Cameroon is really different . basic human rights are not even respected .we continue advocacy.thanks so much sister
just talk to ex or current women in the military, if you desire. and even sympathetic men.
Dear Carine,
off course secluded spaces benefits the target groups while there is an assumption the larger group in the community are either aware or safe. internert access is a challenges especially for low income earners, priority is basic such as food. therefore not many would spend money on bundles if they have no food in the house. however that does not mean we shelf the idea of raising awareness using technology eventually that is the way to go. in the mean time i propose use of print media with messages, pictures etc that can be mounted in strategic places such as schools.
best
Fidelity
Oh thanks so much sister.the idea is very good.I will definitely consider that .thanks
Am not saying is going to be easy but I assure you it is going to worth it. People can still be reached on social media, just keep raising your voice, schools adminstratives can be reached to talk about putting an end to GBV. Love Precious
Thanks so much precious for your contribution.ad you rightly said we will begin from the administrators to talks on GBV in school activities.
Dear Carine,
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for sharing your piece on possible solutions to GBV. I agree with you that education and sensitization are two valuable keys to use.
Everyone should be educated on this. The government can sure do more but it looks like civil societies are going to be the backbone for this educational efforts to materialize.
Please be safe.
Thanks much sister Arrey you are always so supportive .thanks
Dear Carine, I completely agree with you on this sister, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I feel that if our school systems could implement or inculcate GBV courses into their curriculum, it would be a great way for maximum sensitization at an early stage. It is very sad that in some parts of the world, victims of GBV are blamed for what happens to them, as opposed to the perpetrators. Keep raising your voice while hoping that more women stand up and do same.
Thanks so much sister Caro. That is a good point for advocacy you have raised there.thanks again
As an educationist I agree that in most schools no one talks on this issue because we belong to a world where they say that men are masters of women so they can anything to them. But it has to be discussed on every platform form, for awareness is the solution
Thank you for sharing and bring the awareness of GBV. It is definitely should penalize the one who convict GBV instead of the victims. It is important to educate the girls how they should deal with the situation if this happens. It is necessary to increase the social awareness and establish the norm against GBV.
Please keep the great work on ! May Almighty God bless you all!
Thanks sister.definitely awareness raising from the grassroot level with local strategies will do .thanks
I really agree with you. Thanks for bringing forward this true
Thanks sis for seeing in my directions.
Merry christmas