IWOGRA with funding from ActionAid Nigeria implemented the Strengthening the Capacity of Local Women’s Rights Organisations to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls (SLOC-VAWG) which led to the passage of a Bye-Law and establishment of the Violence Against Women and Girls Community Court in Dutse-Pe community, FCT, Nigeria. Our organisation implemented a 3-year project that focused on addressing harmful sociocultural norms and practices that exacerbates violence against women and girls. Our baseline assessment report showed that Dutse-Pe community had girls and young women experiencing high rate of sexual violence and exploitation, with many girls dropping out of school due to unintended pregnancies, parents procuring abortions from traditional birth attendants and patent medicine vendors in order to protect family honour and parents giving out their pregnant girls to men as brides. Some of the girls who were forced to procure abortions now live with health challenges while some bled to death.
To address this issue and save girls from incidences of sexual violence, we carried out strategically planned activities which involved working with girls, women, men, boys, schools, healthcare service providers, traditional leaders and religious leaders of the community. Their capacities were strengthened to eliminate all forms of sexual violence against girls in the community and have a change of perception on girls’ sexuality. In response to our interventions and call to action, the traditional ruler of Dutse-Pe community, passed a Bye-Law that prohibits all forms of violence against women and girls in the community. A provision in the bye-law prohibits anyone from sexually abusing girls and where a girl drops out of school as a result of pregnancy, the boy responsible must also drop out of school if he is also schooling. Where the person responsible is an adult, he will be handed to law enforcement agencies for adequate punishment prescribed by law and his family will be responsible for the care of the girl and the newborn until she is able to go back to school. The Bye Law also prohibits parents from marrying out their daughters who have unintended pregnancy or forcing them to procure abortions.
To ensure enforcement of the Bye-Law, the Violence Against Women and Girls Community Court was established with a committee set-up to investigate cases brought before the court and pass sanctions. This laudable action in Dutse-Pe community has led to girls returning back to school, reduction in reported cases of sexual violence and ended child marriages in the community.