THE SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT 2014 Gender – Based Violence

Lesotho, Maseru, April 14 – 15 : ‘Mamakhethe Phomane

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SYNOPSIS

The objective of SHE-HIVE Association is to engage people, who about experienced it.

The or are still undergoing abuse to speak out association disseminates information, educates people and share experiences in order to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors; it also campaigns for behavioral change in communities, and especially in families, with a view to eliminating further cases of domestic violence Founder Member of the Association

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OBJECTIVES

To have a well enhanced coordination of services aimed at improving lives of women and children who are survivors of domestic violence.

To provide psychosocial support and advocacy for abolition of domestic violence by the use of the slogan “speak out, domestic violence is not private anymore” To raise awareness by disseminating information, educating and sharing experiences aimed at improving lives of survivors of domestic violence To eliminate all forms of Gender based violence by encouraging the community at large to embark on the struggle for elimination of further chances of domestic violence cases With the support of donors and partners, to establish “stop over” facilities throughout the country, where battered women and children will be provided with psychosocial support, group counselling sessions where women are able to speak out about issues of domestic violence To encourage dialogue between communities on issues of domestic violence and how it can be eradicated.

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BACKGROUND

The association was formed by women who are survivors, who feel that the justice system in Lesotho is too slow on its implementation of the 28 targets. They feel that it is everyone’s responsibility to act towards the abolition of all forms of gender-based violence.

The goal is to work towards ending all violence against women and children.

This involves advocating and lobbying for the empowerment of survivors and victims of domestic violence and those affected by it, providing them with psychosocial support, and ensuring that to they reduce are able to sustain themselves after the violence. It also involves encouraging society at large the case number of domestic violence cases by at least 50% by the year 2020, through advocacy and lobbying for the use of the slogan “Speak out; domestic violence is not private anymore”.

Founder and Co – Founders On V - Day

KEY ACTIVITIES

• • • • • • •

CREATING AWARENESS THROUGH THE USE OF MEDIA (NEWSPAPERS, RADIO AND TV) CAMPAIGNING FOR BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE BETWEEN COMMUNITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS DAILY COUNSELING, PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND LEGAL ADVICE.

HUMAN RIGHTS STUDY CLUBS AT SCHOOLS HUMAN RIGHT CLUBS – COMMUNITY MONTHLY CIRCLES

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RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS

Amount local currency (specify) Amount in Rand Gender specific allocation Gender in (please specify) mainstream projects

M 9, 500.00

R 9, 500.00

Members’ Contribution Amount contributed in cash or in kind by partner organisations (please specify) In Kind: M 190, 000.00

R 190, 000.00

TOTAL M 195, 500.00

R 195, 500.00

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BENEFICIARIES

CATEGORY Direct beneficiaries e.g.

number parliamentarians trained of Indirect beneficiaries (e.g.

through networks) other Online beneficiaries (e.g.

website access, mailing lists, scholarly articles) Total WOMEN 5 375 10 MEN 3 TOTAL 8 % WOMEN 63% 225 2 600 12 63% 83% 70%

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CHALLENGES

The main problem faced by the association is lack of funding, The organization is still in its initial stage, and has not yet received funding. The secretariat works on a volunteer basis, and has no office equipment except for the equipment they have brought from their own homes.

The association is at the moment depending on its partners’ resources. Although the association’s slogan is to speak out about the issues of gender-based violence, this remains a very private issue in communities, and people are sometimes very hostile about it. There is a strong tendency to shy away and not speak out because of fear of discrimination and humiliation, and there are also accusations of deviation from cultural practices. People resist behavioral change due to the misconception that it diverts them from their beliefs and traditional norms (e.g. patriarchy).

The association members have approached radio and TV stations to speak openly the issues of domestic violence. Survivors open up and talk about these issues on national TV. This is likely to help other women to open up and to encourage them to speak out.

By so doing the perpetrators are discouraged from continuing these acts, as they will be exposed to the general public and be stigmatized.

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MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The association holds monthly meetings for the Board whereby the responsible officers for different programmes provide reports; these reports are used to measure the progress, effectiveness and efficiency of activities hence increasing the accessibility of service delivery.

For evaluation, the association engage stakeholders in annual general meeting whereby annually planned activities from the three year strategic plan are evaluated.

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RESULTS

• • • • • • • • • •

Service delivery Women’s empowerment Men for change Public participation Changes at the work place Outreach through the media Changes at household level Capacity building Changes in attitudes Any other changes that have come about as a result of the COE work

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SERVICE DELIVERY

Issues of domestic violence have been dealt with by the media, which was very important in creating awareness and disseminating information.

gatherings, candle-light, A number of activities, for example, fun walk, public counseling sessions(indoor), newspapers, radio domestic violence.

monthly and TV members’ programs circles, were undergone to motivate and/or encourage the community at large to speak about issues of

Evidence*

Police from Child Protection and Gender Unit within the Central Charge office of Maseru are referring cases of battered women and children to our office for counseling and psycho-social support.

A village society of Qeme – Ha Ramorakene approached the office with the intention of subscribing to it as they heard from radio stations and watched television programs about the objectives of the association and would like its membership to benefit from it.

Mants’ebo community has formed a counseling social group and they handle more or less the same situations as our office, in some matters they refer their members to us.

Community Dialogue

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Most women were ignorant of their rights, and reluctant to take legal action against their perpetrators because of fear of losing their property and the stigma attached to abandoning the matrimonial home and the shame to the whole family especially children. In most cases the fear of leaving comes when the woman is not working and depends on the perpetrator’s financial support.

After attending numerous monthly circles and other activities mentioned above, women were strengthened to take legal action against their perpetrators and they were also encouraged and or empowered to enter into income generating activities for them not to be dependent on their perpetrators (economic abuse). This has as a result contributed adversely to GBV struggle as women are now able to speak out regardless of their dependence on the financial support.

Evidence*

Malimpho Mokoena of Sehlabeng sa Thuathe. Her husband had an extra-marital affair and a baby was born out of the affair, he then began to be abusive to her and ordered her to leave the matrimonial house with the three children born in marriage. When Malimpho approached our office, she had watched the “I story” form a TV program and came to the office in seek of legal intervention. She got counseling and psycho-social support and is now in poultry project. She is also an Eco-Cash (Econet) agent, selling electricity and airtime. She also went to the Magistrate court for maintenance of her children and herself and the husband is paying maintenance.

She is processing a restraining order against husband and the concubine.

Poultry Project – ‘Malimpho Mokoena

MEN FOR CHANGE

Yes, men have become more supportive in GBV issues. For example, three associations of men (namely Crime Prevention and Re-integration of Ex offenders Association (CRROA), Corridors of Hope and Khotla Lesotho) have partnered with us in the fight against GBV by encouraging men to be at the forefront.

Evidence*

Mr Lesupi is a member of CRROA and has subscribed to She-Hive Association.

He initiated a Community Development project, running in two villages within the district of Maseru. The community development project encourages men, women and youth in the villages to embark on income generating activities for alleviation of poverty and crime, job creation and elimination of domestic violence, because when a man and woman from one family are not working, they end up fighting and making unnecessary arguments which in most cases leads to emotional and physical abuse.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

During 16 days of activism against GBV, with the initiative from She-Hive Association and support from SAFAIDS, and in collaboration with other stakeholders, a fun walk was held at Thaba-Bosiu, where the community from three villages participated. The fun walk was a success and about 500 people participated, community dialogues were held at later stage, and the men community and women people were encouraged to talk about issues of GBV. A few days after the fun walk, came seeking counseling and legal advice. Cases of violence were reported. A woman was provided shelter as she could no longer go back to her home where the abusive husband was.

Some community people reported a case of violence to a girl by the step father and a case was referred to Child and Gender Protection Unit.

Thaba – Bosiu Fun Walk 16 Days of Activism against GBV (2013)

OUTREACH THROUGH MEDIA

We engage with the media to popularize the anti-gender violence campaign in line with the SADC Gender Protocol and the work on gender equality through different radio stations’ programs, newspapers and television. This is mostly done through the use of “I stories” and advocacy for elimination of domestic violence cases including encouraging men to be in the fore front of the struggle.

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Evidence*

A television program “Mots’eho” done on Mondays at Lesotho Television. A program was done and touched the hearts of most viewers of the TV program. It was during the 16 days of Activism against GBV. (DVD attached) • • Facebook – She-Hive Association, to exchange views and ideas about current events of GBV.

Newspaper articles attached

CHANGES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL

The campaign contributes mostly than to other programs to power relations at household level by the slogan “honeymakers” as it motivates couples to love and have piece with one another or to have a way of dealing with conflicts in their families. Pre – Marital counseling and children therapy is also offered and this is achieved by the use of the slogan “Speak out, domestic violence is not secret anymore”. Couples are offered with counseling and also encouraged to join the monthly circles whereby issues of conflicts within the families are discussed and solutions are provided.

Evidence*

Mr. and Mrs. Molato had marital problems or conflicts which they were not able to solve; they heard of the association through the media and came for assistance. After a few counseling sessions, they were in a better relationship and are now still happily married. They also referred their children for counseling as they also got affected, and the children also responded well to the sessions.

CAPACITY BUILDING

The people from the two villages mentioned above – Ha Ramorakane and Ha Mants’ebo are trained on farming skills and how being involved in IGAs interrelates with anti-GBV.

Women got empowered to speak out about issues of domestic violence and not to shy away because of fear of discrimination and stigmatization.

A group of women from a church – Lesotho Evangelical Church(LEC) were capacitated in differentiating religion, norms and culture and being able to be anti-GBV.

Men through the MenEngage Network are empowered and encouraged to take leadership roles in the prevention of GBV, and to be the supporters and providers of their families.

Through the Human Rights Study children/students are tough of different forms of abuse and how they can contribute towards ending the abuse.

Clubs in schools,

Evidence*

A woman of Ha Mants’ebo, who is a member of the LEC women’s movement, came to the office seeking counseling and legal advice.

She also joined the survivors’ corner or monthly circles of the Hive.

Even though she may not be able to revive her marriage, she got advices as to coping with the situation and being able to provide for her children and also taking legal action against her husband.

A Token given by LEC Women Church Group

CHANGE IN ATTITUTES

In this period of the campaign in matters relating to GBV, there has been a vast change in attitudes of the community, government and policing forums. People perceive the campaigns in a positive manner and thereby willing and taking efforts in joining hands in the fight against GBV. This is witnessed by a great contribution of the Ministry of Gender in the celebration on 16 days of Activism through the Principal Gender Officer where she said: “it is encouraging to see men at the forefront in the fight against GBV and if they keep on the positive momentum, we will attain more fulfilling results, thus lowering reported incidences of GBV”. More so, one can quote the chief of Thaba –Bosiu wherefore he said: “if we keep on joining hands on the struggle in GBV, there shall be positive result. Thus …Lets’oele le beta Poho” Evidence* At the fun walk that was held at Thaba – Bosiu in December 2013, at the closing session, one of the community leaders from Machache Nazareth indicated that the campaigns are positively contributing towards the fight against gender based violence as the attitude is gradually changing. This was evident when he said: “we really appreciate you making efforts to combat this eminent problem. We at our village have embarked on a year end celebration where we slaughter a cow for women as a way of showing them how much we appreciate them and we would like it if you visit our village so you can spread the good campaign” Men as Protectors A male community leader addressing issues of GBV

Any other changes that have come about as a result of the COE work

• People are now willing to speak out on GBV, it is not private anymore and as a result, a vast number of people have been helped more especially on psychosocial support.

• Also, the communities are working together with many campaigns and this indicates the positivity in the mind set of the society. Thus, a shift from GBV being a private issue to it being reported and people acquire necessary help.

• Also, the government through Ministry of Gender, Sports and Recreation is working together with the private organizations in combating GBV.

LESSON LEARNED AND INNOVATION

• • • • It has been learned that people, especially women, are ignorant of their rights, and reluctant to take legal action against the perpetrators. Most women are afraid to take action because of fear of losing the property that they have worked for, the stigma attached to abandoning the home, and the shame to the whole family, especially the children. In most cases the fear of leaving comes when the women is not working (a form of economic abuse).

Most of our members who took action (left the matrimonial home) are aged and undergo a post-traumatic stress of loneliness, as they fear entering into new relationships.

Although the association’s slogan is to speak out about issues of gender-based violence, this remains a very private issue in communities, and people are sometimes very hostile about it. There is a strong tendency to shy away and not speak out because of fear of discrimination and humiliation, and there are also accusations of deviation for cultural practices. People resist behavioral change due to the misconception that it diverts them from their beliefs and traditional norms (e.g.

patriarchy) Even though we have encountered many difficulties, there are some children and women who are ready and willing to talk about GBV issues, or to report any violence that they see in their community.

Evidence*

A community of Ha Mants’ebo reported a case of abuse happening in a family whereby a husband was abusive to a wife who had no where to go. The woman/wife was given a shelter available within the Ministry of Gender, whereby she was assisted in finding her relatives as she was claiming to have nowhere to go. A month later, she was released and is now with some relatives. A restraining order was given to the man/husband not to be seen anywhere near the wife and their baby.

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LEARNING AND SHARING WITH OTHER COUNCILS

She-Hive Association and other organizations namely Sesotho Media and Development, Matrix Support Group, Corridors of Hope, Khotla Lesotho, SWAALES and CRROA entered into an agreement to form a network under the renowned global MenEngage Programme. MenEngage – Lesotho Programme will use its different skills sets to intensify awareness on sexual and reproductive health and promoting positive masculinities that will be supportive of women to improve maternal health of Basotho women.

The purpose of the agreement is to establish a conducive platform and smooth play field for networking agencies in the initiative to engage men and boys in all efforts geared towards promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls. The network is intending to facilitate and intensify involvement of men and boys in advocacy and social mobilization activities with the ultimate goal of eradicating sexual and gender based violence as a major driver of poor maternal health.

The network shall draw from healthy socio-cultural practices and medical experiences to arrive at a comprehensive solution to encouraging healthy sexual and reproductive health practices that empower women and girls through the support of men and boys.

Evidence* See attached copy of MenEngage MOU

MenEngage Network Meeting

SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICATION

The availability of clubs at schools and within the communities and the MenEngage Network will interrelate and have activities that include fundraising campaigns , awareness creation and information dissemination. All activities are be monitored during the process of implementation and an external evaluation is done at the end of the process. The sustainability of these interventions depends primarily on the clubs with supervision from the head office secretariat and the MenEngage Network located in the capital Maseru.

As means of empowering women and children who are victims of domestic violence, this good practice can be replicated in other countries. District and school clubs can be formed everywhere to enhance the lives of women and to give them psychosocial support; and the MenEngage Network can also be replicated even to the districts for involvement of men and boys in the GBV campaign.

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KEY PRIORITIES FOR 2014

• • • • • • PSYCOSOCIAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

HUMAN RIGHTS STUDY CLUBS AT SCHOOLS HUMAN RIGHTS STUDY CLUBS IN THE COMMUNITIES.

MONTHLY SUPPORT CLUBS/SURVIVORS’ CORNER.

ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS CREATION THROUGH MEDIA.

MENENGAGE NETWORK Staff working on a Strategic Plan