Nigeria: Activities of the Hearts of Hope Shelter
Between March 2021 when the Hearts of Hope Shelter in Lagos, Nigeria was commissioned, it was able to provide shelter to more than 70 women and girls in the shelter. Many are threatened by the fear of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in their communities or impacted by domestic violence, rape and various other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The shelter collaborated closely with government agencies such as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) of the state government and other relevant non-profits. Since the establishment till now, at every point there have been women and girls at the shelter seeking refuge, counselling and various support. Some of the victims/survivors were referred to the shelter by the DSVA and other bodies with full documentation.
Using the platform of local meetings (with stakeholders such as local chiefs, youth leaders, women leaders, activists and others), the Shelter, working through its parent body CEE-HOPE, spread sensitization on FGM. A sticker was produced on the dangers of FGM and the need to shun it as it is a harmful cultural practice.
Title Picture: Collaboration of actors, activists, government agencies among others to end GBV and FGM, Nnimmo Bassey at the opening of the shelter in Lagos. / Pictures (f.o.t.u.): Coordinator Betty holding Damilola’s baby, with shelter residents and Damilola, in red dress; awareness sticker for „End FGM“ campaign; partnership: a group of women from the Anglican Church donates food, hygiene items, etc. to the shelter (June 2022); raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence is a regular feature of CEE-HOPE. Here, shelter coordinator Betty Abah mentors girls from communities in Lagos
Podcast Series
A video and radio podcast series is currently being produced as part of the campaign against FGM. It features women who have suffered FGM, activists and government workers. The video format will be featured on YouTube while the voice version will be featured on AnchorFM, the free online radio platform and will run on a local radio station (Women FM, Lagos). It will be titled ‘Cut Out the Cutting Culture: Voices Against FGM.’ Some of the interviews (with activists and FGM victims) have been held in CEE-HOPE’s office studio (in July) awaiting final editing and publication (photos attached) and the various platforms.
Pictures (f.o.t.u.): Ireti Ogunderu, CEE-HOPE girl mentor and anti-FGM champion / Podcast show with Yinka Kenny, on-air personality, activist and FGM victim / Podcast show on female genital mutilation with Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, leading sex expert and FGM victim, interviewed by Betty Abah (July 2022)
Empowerment Workshops for Victims and Survivors
Two empowerment workshops have so far been held this year (two were held last year). This is to ensure the economic independence of the survivors when they leave the shelter. The workshops also known as quick skills scheme are; a two-day workshop for training on soap making, hair dressing and cosmetics for the survivors (together with other vulnerable women from our communities) and another one purely for cosmetics exclusively for the residents.
Professional Counselling for Victims and Survivors
The residents were provided counselling at various times, some up to three times before exiting the shelter. Dr. Princess Oluwafemi-Kayode, a certified counsellor and sexuality expert, is a regular counsellor at the shelter. Dr. Linda, a popular online counsellor based in the USA has also had counselling session with them and depending on their cases, several of the residents have been taken for counseling/advice and further referral at the office of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Agency (DSVA).
Picture: Podcast show on female genital mutilation with Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, leading sex expert and FGM victim, interviewed by Betty Abah (July 2022).
PENDING ACTIVITIES
A Short Documentary Film on FGM
The 15-minutes documentary is meant to portray the evil of FGM and how stakeholders including local chiefs, community leaders, women, activities, journalists together with policy makers can end the scourge. It will utilize virtual and sound effects using traditional costumes, instruments and local cultural displays to drive home the message as well as provide an virtual background into the cultural nuances of the environment.
Two More Workshops
FGM and GBV awareness workshop for local leaders, policy makers and other stakeholders on the dangers of FGM and GBV. Also, another economic empowerment workshop as well as continued counselling for the residents and vulnerable women are planned to be held.