Understanding Violence Against Women in Bayelsa State: A Focus Group Report
This report discusses a focus group study aimed at comprehending the dynamics of violence against women in the context of elections and politics in Bayelsa State. Specific objectives include identifying forms of violence, studying perpetrators, exploring impacts on women's electoral participation, evaluating institutional mechanisms for redress, and gathering perspectives on solutions. The methodology involved two FGD sessions with a total of 16 female participants. Insights from discussions revealed the widespread presence of various types of violence.
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STOP-VAWIE Focus Group Discussions: A Report on Bayelsa State Prof O J Para-Mallam, mni - Consultant National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies , Kuru 6/10/2015
AIM of the STUDY TO FOSTER AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTEXTUAL DYNAMICS AGAINST WOMEN IN ASSIST POLICY MAKERS, ACTORS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS TO DESIGN WELL-TARGETED SOLUTIONS OF VIOLENCE ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL
Specific Objectives Discover what specific forms and levels of violence female aspirants/ candidates, party activists, supporters and voters encountered 1. Investigate the identity of the perpetrators of the various forms of electoral violence 2. Investigate the immediate and remote causes of electoral violence against women 3.
Specific Objectives Understand the potential or actual impact of VAWIE on women s ability to participate in the electoral process as well as on the democratic quality of the election 4. Assess the nature and effectiveness of state or non-state institutional mechanisms in providing redress for female victims of electoral violence 5. Gain an understanding of women s perspectives on possible solutions to electoral violence 6.
METHODOLOGY Technique: The FGD technique, being a participatory method Sample: Two FGDs were held with eight (8) participants each a total of 16 women consisting of voters, aspirants/candidates and election officials A brief PowerPoint presentation: To standardized definition of VAWIE Modality: Two (2) two-hour FGD sessions were held one in the morning and another in the afternoon
Data Presentation: Discussion (1) A very important female politician that wanted to come out, came and was ready, before they knew what happened some men came to her and told her to step down. That if she does not step down, she will see what her eyes have never seen before. She said, What can they do ; she bragged. That night, they came to her house, asked her grown up son to sleep with her which the son could not, they wanted to shoot the son, the son now slept with the mother. After the son did that, they now went away. The son now ran and left the home, till today, they have not seen that young boy and the woman could not come out again and with that kind of disgrace, she could not tell anybody. (FGD participant, 10/10/2015) Nature and Extent of Violence All types of violence are present and widespre ad.
Data Presentation: Discussion (2) Perpetrators Men Male- dominated political machinery Society Women The one (violence) that comes from inside too (from women), let s talk about it. When women are jealous of each other and are the ones perpetrating violence against themselves. Because we are more in number, without money we can get somebody into position. (FGD participant, 10/10/2015)
Data Presentation: Discussion (3) Causes of VAWIE Tradition is the root cause of all other forms of VAWIE Fear, intimidation and inferiority complex which tradition breeds in women. Lack of access to critical resources Culture of money politics and godfatherism Domestic duties limit time available to women
Data Presentation: Discussion (4) Leaders being selected instead of elected causing lack of accountability to the electorate. For instance, the market women leader claimed that, the local government chairpersons, they were all planted by the government of the day. They don t have anything to give or say. Impacts of VAWIE On women On quality of democracy The one (violence) that comes from inside too (from women), let s talk about it. When women are jealous of each other and are the ones perpetrating violence against themselves. Because we are more in number, without money we can get somebody into position. (FGD participant, 10/10/2015) Poor quality of work, which leads to underdevelopment and anarchy.
Data Presentation: Discussion (5) Mechanisms to curb VAWIE State Non-state The one (violence) that comes from inside too (from women), let s talk about it. When women are jealous of each other and are the ones perpetrating violence against themselves. Because we are more in number, without money we can get somebody into position. (FGD participant, 10/10/2015) participant, 10/10/2015) State: zero to low awareness Non-State: FIDA can help pursue (cases of electoral violation) but women don t take advantage of this opportunity because they are afraid that the men/political thugs may attack them. (FGD
Data Presentation: Discussion (6) Solutions to VAWIE Short-term Improve girls access to quality education Break the culture of tradition-induced gender inequality. Replace obnoxious traditions with positive, gender-friendly models. Reform statutory laws to enhance protection of women Long-term Address teenage pregnancy Use modified traditional mechanisms to induce change.
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS Women in Bayelsa State experience all the five types of election violence identified, which are rooted in patriarchal African tradition. Men and the political institutions they dominate are the main perpetrators of violence against women and each other. However, women-on-women VAWIE can be even more debilitating, disheartening and discouraging. Gender-biased socialization to gender-coded identity and behaviour create critical deficits in the art of politicking for women.
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS (Contd.) VAWIE produces a selection-based political system, low accountability and underdevelopment. Low awareness and uptake of the services of institutional mechanisms to curb VAWIE undermine their effectiveness. Women in Bayelsa envision change through short and long-term solutions to VAWIE.
