Still on the matter... (Domestic Violence)

Like I said yesterday, "Wanda's Tale" ends next week, the last two episodes will all be out on Monday since the month ends on Tuesday. 

It was while seeking topics for the next series that a friend asked why I chose to write on domestic violence instead of "rainbows" (these were his words). 

Before then I hadn't given much thought to the negative perception certain people connoted from Wanda's Tale, all I did was sought to tell the tale as it appeared (it was my truth to tell). There's no glossy image of the truth in the story, it's fiction but based on facts. 

As we continue to shed light on this ill, we hope there is a complete turn around even for the perpetrators (because they need rehabilitation too). 

I recently stumbled on a blog post about a woman who had survived an experience similar to those I paint in the series and I was shocked to learn it. In all of my creativity it seemed a higher power was relaying to me the hurts of women else where.

@Cece_yara 

Yesterday I shed light on two organisations doing amazing work on ending domestic violence and I later remembered the Force Gender Unit @FIBGender of the Nigeria Police force, the Cece Yara foundation @cece_yara which has a help line for children (how awesome).

The force gender unit has a dedicated site that takes reports and offers assistance http://www.fciidgender.net/main. The gender unit operates as part of the  Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department. 

Cede yard on the other hand caters to children who experience sexual abuse. Lagos state safeguarding and Child Protection Policy encourages disclosure of abuse hence the foundation encourages people to take steps to report it.

Did you know? that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys in Nigeria experience sexual violence and most of this abuse is perpetrated by people known to them (relatives, domestic help, even parents and guardians). what this means is that; for ever 4 girls you see it's possible 1 has been sexually abused and for every 10 boys 1 has been sexually abused.

with all this and the loud chorus against domestic violence there are men in Nigeria (around you probably) who justify violence against women....1 in 4 men justify violence against women, are you the one in 4?

There's no excuse for such behaviour, if a man can tolerate a female employer or colleague without hitting her then practice the same self control when relating to your spouse or females in your own household.

The Nigeria POLICE has a working GENDER UNIT (@FIBGender) lets follow, drive traffic their way and report cases to them, I'm sure they are also open to trainings and partnerships.... 

Cc: Ministry of Women Affairs we need more visibility and enlightenment on your activities. 

Don't keep silent, don't encourage the culture of silence, speak up, say NO to domestic violence.