Since 2017, Amnesty International has launched a transformative initiative in West Africa, utilising human rights education (HRE) to combat female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriage in over 60 communities across Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. In 2024, their ambition broadened, encompassing all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), affirming their pledge for fostering safer societies.
Amnesty’s method hinges on human rights education as a vital tool for empowerment, instilling essential skills and values that advocate for equality and respect. By unearthing the root causes of GBV and promoting a shift in societal attitudes, they address not just legal frameworks but engage community efforts at every level. Training professionals within these communities equips them to become pivotal agents in preventing GBV and helping survivors secure necessary support.
Community figures, including teachers, healthcare providers, and journalists, play an instrumental role in this educational journey. During their training, these individuals receive essential insights into human rights and the nuances of gender-based violence, thereby acting as champions of change. In collaboration with Amnesty’s HRE Coordinators, they foster awareness across the three nations.
Teachers are particularly crucial, often positioned as the first line of support for students facing abuse. By participating in training that spans one to three days, educators delve into critical issues such as child rights, safeguarding, and GBV. They explore interactive methods like debates and films, enabling knowledge to flow in engaging ways, which they can then translate into their classrooms.
Rigobert Kaly Boubane, a headmaster recounts his experience: “The training was very interesting. It provided a lot of information. There were a lot of things I didn’t know… now I have a clear understanding”. Teachers become instrumental in combating GBV by spearheading awareness initiatives, like the Razz ball tournaments in Burkina Faso, facilitating meaningful conversation between students and parents about the issue.
Midwives emerge as essential allies as well, harnessing their training to enlighten mothers on the dangers of GBV, including FGM and child marriage. The tailored curriculum equips healthcare providers with the knowledge necessary to identify and assist victims of GBV effectively. Community nurse voices reveal their transformation: “The HRE training I received today has helped me understand the pain experienced in the past, allowing me to support others better.”
In the Sedhiou region, midwives partner with local imams to discuss gender-based violence, linking it directly to women’s reproductive health. They advocated for imams to use their influence at religious gatherings to combat such violence. Following training, midwives in Fatick organised awareness sessions with adolescent girls and women, thus extending their impact significantly.
Journalists also serve as vital conduits of information, empowering communities through their storytelling. Amnesty’s joint training sessions for journalists and healthcare professionals foster collaborative awareness campaigns, significantly enhancing outreach. Journalists like Michel Bancé illustrate the transformation, declaring, “I didn’t know anything about GBV. Now I can tell people what GBV means…”
By 2024, over 40 journalists were trained, augmenting a network of professionals working effectively against GBV across the region. Amnesty’s initiatives have catalysed a collective fine-tuning of perceptions regarding GBV.
Since the inception of the HRE programme, over 40,000 individuals have been educated. Numerous actions have emerged from these training sessions, with 830 community-led initiatives reported. Impressively, almost 70 GBV cases have led to police investigations, reflecting an evolving societal stance against violence. The obstacles of GBV are further highlighted, as reported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), indicating that 10 to 30% of women in the region experienced violence within the past year.
With harmful practices like FGM and child marriage pervasive, the groundwork laid by Amnesty International sheds light on the necessity for continued and escalated actions to eradicate GBV. Clearly, spreading knowledge and fostering community strengths can stir a significant tide of change, a hopeful movement that envisions a future free from violence for all.
Since 2017, Amnesty International has been combating gender-based violence in West Africa using human rights education. Training has empowered teachers, midwives, and journalists as change agents, leading to an increased understanding of GBV within their communities. The programme has achieved remarkable outcomes, impacting thousands through training and awareness campaigns, while addressing pressing issues like FGM and child marriage in the region.
Amnesty International’s work in West Africa highlights the crucial role of human rights education in combatting gender-based violence. By empowering teachers, healthcare providers, and journalists, the initiative has sparked significant societal transformations. The results, including thousands educated and active community engagements, demonstrate that informed awareness can alter the landscape of gender-based violence. The ongoing battle against GBV needs persistent efforts, supported by communities, to foster a safe future for women and girls.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
