Shelters for survivors of gender-based and sexual violence (GBV) without accommodation in Benin, a law protecting and creating shelters without an implementing decree in Burkina Faso, a new government that has no national strategy to increase the number of centers providing holistic care for survivors of GBV—these are the findings of the assessments carried out as part of Channel 3 of the Feminists in Action project.
After a year of advocacy to challenge the authorities on the need for holistic shelters for survivors of gender-based and sexual violence, ROAJELF Benin, Burkina Faso, and Senegal are taking stock and mobilizing for the next steps.
National commitments
In Benin, advocacy meetings and slam poetry and dance performances have borne fruit: the mayors of the municipalities of Cotonou,Abomey Calavi , and Parakou have publicly committed to making premises within a maximum radius of 10 km from the Integrated Departmental Coordination Centers for the care of victims of GBV (CIPEC-VBG) to house survivors of violence.
“The municipality recognizes the importance of this fight and the need to take action. As mayor of Abomey, I have studied the possibilities for creating emergency accommodation facilities in our area and making the fight against violence against women a priority in our municipal action plan.” Antoine Djedou, Mayor of Abomey and Calavi.
In Burkina Faso, the theater performances took place from July 20 to 23 in Ouagadougou and Léo in the presence of the High Commissioners of both regions. The play, which tells the story of a woman seeking help from various organizations but being turned away due to lack of space, resources, or staff, was performed several times in front of young people, adults, and authorities. The Director of Humanitarian Action at the Ministry of Solidarity, who was present in Ouagadougou, made a verbal commitment to support ROAJELF Burkina Faso and all associations fighting against VSS in the drafting and signing of the decree implementing Law No. 061-CNT of September 6, 2015, on the care of survivors in Burkina Faso.
In Senegal, the new Ministry of Family and Solidarity made a verbal commitment, during a major advocacy day combining an arts fair in Dakar and social mobilization events in Guédiawaye and Tambacounda (Koumpentoum), to increase the number of childcare facilities and set up a dedicated fund. Slam poets, dancers, and singers were honored with original productions created with technical support from ROAJELF and Equipop:
The beloved to whom the man lies
The one who no longer complains despite isolation
The one who is forced to stay at home against her will
(…)
This is the story of a survivor, who dared to flee one night.
This woman calling for help with no solution, in utter distress
She searched in vain for a room to accommodate her,
Making endless calls, with no solution for his roof.
High-level meeting to adopt regional standards for the care of survivors of gender-based violence
Building on its legitimacy as a recognized regional network, ROAJELF has lobbied ECOWAS. The aim was to encourage the adoption of regional standards for the care of GBV survivors, reflecting the specific needs of survivors in all their diversity. An advocacy meeting was held in Abuja (Nigeria) with the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Ms. Fatou SOW SARR. The Commissioner welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of having young people from the sub-region working to continue her own actions on the issue of violence against women. Discussions are to be continued.
Financial needs to continue
The challenge now for these three feminist organizations is to gain access to flexible and sustainable financial resources so that they can monitor and support the authorities in fulfilling their commitments.
The Feminists in Action Fund (FEA)provides feminist organizations with financial, human, and material resources to support them in their fight for women's and girls' rights. As part of Channel 3, assessments have been carried out and the conclusions require concrete commitments and actions from States.
