Creating Global Connections

Survivors of conflict related sexual violence across the world, especially those who return from captivity with armed groups, face similar obstacles and challenges. These include stigmatization and rejection. Additionally, they suffer long term psychological distress as a result of the physical, sexual, and mental abuse they experienced in capacity.

This message shaped a five-day dialogue and experience sharing workshop, which took place between 21 and 25 of January 2019 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The exchange activity was sponsored by Trust Africa, under the auspices of the International Criminal Justice Fund.  Representatives of the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) and Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN) traveled to Abuja, Nigeria to interact with survivors of sexual violence and Boko Haram captivity there. The program was hosted by the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA).

The event provided opportunities for WAN members to share experiences with their counterparts at the Allamin Foundation for Peace. The participants’ focus was to illuminate the challenges faced in their countries and to think of strategies for overcoming these challenges together. Survivors from both countries shared their stories and experiences, allowing them to learn from one another and to build resilience.

Evelyn Amony, WAN chair and a survivor from northern Uganda, narrated how she was forced to marry Lord’s Resistance Army Commander Joseph Kony. She was ‘married’ to him for 11 years and had 3 children with him.

She was also taken to South Sudan, and faced great difficulties there. She recounted that many people drowned while traveling, because they were made to cross a dangerous river.

Her oldest child, who would be about 19 years old now, was captured during a clash. She never set her eyes on her again.

When Evelyn returned home in 2005, most of her relatives rejected her and the children. They were treated as outcasts.  Evelyn and other formerly abducted women wanted to show that what happened to them was not their will. Seven of the women came together to start a group known as ‘Rwotlakica’ (God is merciful) and she was chosen as the chair. This initiative grew into WAN.

Other WAN members also shared their stories. Survivors from North East Nigeria were inspired and talked of the horrors they endured in Boko Haram captivity.

Together, survivors from both countries learned that they had suffered many of the same human rights violations, and could come together in advocacy.

Women in North East Nigeria, however, face additional challenges, as war continues.

Hope Never Runs Dry

 The fact that North East Nigeria is still in conflict has made it very difficult for the victims, especially those still returning home, to tell their stories.

Hajja Hamsatu, Founder of Allamin Foundation, noted that the victims in Northern Nigeria still face numerous human rights violations.

‘‘Even at the IDP [Internally Displaced Persons’] camp, there have been cases of rape by security personnels and vigilantes in the camps. One of the survivors, a 16 year old girl has a four month old baby, (allegedly from a police man in the IDP camp). Due to this form of treatment, many have gone ahead to be sex workers. Some survivors are being given away in cheap marriages by their parents,’’ she said.

Ms. Hamsatu described her work to support young girls who were abducted by Boko Haram. She started by organising them into social networks in Safe Spaces, providing them life skills, confidence building, self-esteem and empowerment workshops.  She  then matched existing programs with a grant so that survivors could explore their skills. She  noted, however, that there are still numerous obstacles to surmount as many more survivors are emerging, wanting to be part of the network. Affected survivors in the IDP camps do not have access to food on a constant basis. She appeals to the Nigerian government to take responsibility for  victims and for children born during captivity.

Interactions with human rights organisations during the workshop renewed hope for victims in northern Nigeria. At the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the National Human Rights Commission the government bodies pledged their commitment towards addressing the plight of survivors and encouraged that victims be supported to write petitions aimed at addressing their issues.

 A Brighter Future

The exchange concluded with action points developed by both participants from Uganda and Nigeria. These are expected to feed into the broader attempts to develop a victim-centered transitional justice process for Nigeria, specifically facilitating survivors of sexual violence to build individual and collective agency as a means of kick starting survivor mobilization,  networking in order to influence policy and legislative discussions and processes and providing a space for learning from the lived experiences of survivors of conflict related sexual violence to develop better interventions and responses.

Despite the difficult subjects discussed, the week ended in celebration. The women from Ugandan and Nigeria exchanged gifts, and shared a meal.

JRP looks forward to continuing to partner with people from around the world, and push for social justice and change everywhere.