1. How do we solve the problem of child rape and domestic violence?
Mrs. Martha: We can solve this problem, first of all by believing children: When they make statements, when they complain about an adult they are not comfortable with, believe them.
We should reduce the cases of parental negligence, i.e. parents must learn to be vigilant. When your child is becoming too comfortable with an adult male, you have to raise an eyebrow. You have to see how you can investigate.
We must educate our children on their body parts especially girls. Nowadays even boys are also being abused especially in Gombe state and there are alarming reports from other parts of the country. Educate children, Don’t assume they are too small. Once they are two, tell them about their body parts let them understand.
2. What are you doing as a woman to bring hope and purpose to victims of violence?
Mrs. Martha: The little I am contributing in my corner to see that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence get justice or to bring hope to them is, I try to amplify their voice. You know this culture of silence has made people or the fear of stigma and discrimination has made people silent.
Then, victim-blaming. When I advocate, I advocate about justice for survivors, stop blaming victims of rape or sexual and gender-based violence. Don’t blame them. I don’t blame them based on what they wear; you don’t see money in a bank and go and pack it because you are tempted. So whatsoever, we don’t blame them. Then we give them some level of support. We partner with organizations. Some organizations provide psychosocial support. I am not yet well equipped to provide psychosocial support but from my post on social media and physical engagements; when I go for fieldwork, I try to encourage women to speak out.
Recovering; getting your self-esteem back, because such an incident happened doesn’t mean life has come to an end. I see how I can advocate for justice. Like I said; I am part of the Gombe state VAPP Act Alliance. We are advocating to see this Act is domesticated. So whatsoever that will aid justice for victims or give them hope, we try to push for it. Like the videos, I shared some days back.
So many people don’t understand what gender-based violence is. They just think violence is just rape. It’s not just rape. We also have; verbal and psychological abuse, sexual harassment, economic deprivation, stalking, intimidation, threat, deprivation; some men lock up their wives, sex and food starve them.
These are all forms of gender-based violence. So whatsoever, give justice to the survivors. Offer them an opportunity for vocational training, Give them something to do. Ask help for shelter from those who can accommodate them. When they leave home, some of them are forced to leave home like some women who go through traumatizing experiences in marriage. This is why should advocate for a better life for them all.
I am an advocate; I raise my voice, I shout on behalf of people who are going through dehumanizing situations in society.
3. What would you like other women and men to know about advocacy for women and men
Mrs. Martha: We have to see how we can make legislation. I don’t know if the VAPP Act has been domestic in Kebbi State. That is the Violence Against Person Prohibition Act, which prohibits all forms of violence against a person. And some northern states are yet to domesticate it. When you go through the VAPP act, the definition of rape is broadened. It doesn’t just restrict it to the penetration of the vagina by the penis. No! It states that even when objects are used; anything you use to penetrate any opening in the body part of an individual is tantamount to rape. So look forward to the domestication of relevant laws. The penal code is no longer enough to fight rape in northern Nigeria.
Advocate policymakers. Make sensitization to women groups; Muslim, Christian, Traditional Religious rulers, Youth groups, and the likes so that they will be in the know and understand the gravity of what is happening. That is Advocacy and sensitization and engagement with stakeholders to make them understand how critical the condition is when it comes to child rape.
Then the security agencies must stand up and wake up to their responsibility. There have been complaints of compromise. We work with the security quite okay, you know one person cannot do it all and that is why we partner with CSOs and even the government, but you know the Nigerian justice system is frail. So we partner with the Police, Civil Defence, and even partner with the judiciary when it comes to child rape.
Those are some of the things on how we can tackle child rape, we also partner with the media. You have to partner with the media. They help amplify the voice of the people who have been affected. Then breaking the culture of silence. You know in the north we are very conservative so you will encourage people. Break the culture of silence. You can hide the identity of the survival but let’s ensure that we break the culture of silence as some states have, they have a sex offender register, then naming and shaming. They do it. So anybody who has committed any offense of rape or abused a child, the person’s picture is posted around so that other people will know that this one has been a violator of children.
So these are just a few ways in which we can advocate or get justice or prevent child rape. Then when it comes to domestic violence or abuse, we must report incidences of domestic violence. Sometimes we cover up but we also need to break the culture of silence. The VAPP Act if domesticated, takes care of all these legislations and the government must see to it that when this legislation is passed, they are implemented to the latter.
Biography
Born in the late 80s in Talata Mafara, Zamfara state, then Sokoto state. Born to a family of 7 children, my parents are Mr. and Mrs. Innocent Egwa. I schooled in Total Child Bible Primary School, Demonstration Secondary School, then Ahmadu Bella University Zaria where I studied Law. I proceeded to Augustine Nnamani Campus, Nigerian Law School Enugu where I passed my Bar finals and I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012. I served in Zamfara state, Kaura Namoda at the local government council where I lectured at the polytechnic. And subsequently moved to stay with my husband at Kebbi state during his service year. I have been in love with humanitarian work and advocacy. Then we returned to Gombe. I earned a post-graduate diploma in education from the Federal College of Education Technical. I have been part of so many consultations, local and international. I have been a volunteer for both local and international organizations. I am the executive director of the Advocacy for Children’s Rights Initiative. I am presently the global ambassador of Olive Pathway. I am also a trained Facilitator. I am a trained Trainer. I have been a member of various panels when it comes to gender issues and I have facilitated various training, the most recent is for Feeder Paralegal training in Gombe state. I am married to Dr. Daniel Apollos blessed with three children; Mishaal, Evangel, and Daniel.