International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
#AwkaWindowonAmerica in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Departments of Psychology and Sociology, INTACON Africa, and the Law Zoomers had a roundtable discussion on the sub-theme: The Contexts and Trauma of Rape, to mark the International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict themed: 'Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.'
The panelists include: Prof. Ogugua Ikpeze, (Dean Faculty of Law), Prof. Bentina Alawari Mathias (Department of Sociology and Anthropology & Deputy Director, Unizik FM), Dr. Nnaemeka C. Nwamara (Department of Psychology), Hope Nkiruka Okoye, MWF (INTACON Africa) and Barr. Amaka Ezeno (Principal, Law Zoomers, Awka). The discussions centers on the following questions:
- What is Sexual Violence?
- How does the society see sexual violence and rape?
- What is the place of consent in sexual violence?
- Are there provisions for Child Rights Law
- How can the menace of sexual violence and rape be curbed in the society?
Here are the highlights of the discussions:
Sexual violence is a form of gender-based violence that involves any form of sexual act or sexual contact that is perpetrated against an individual without their consent. This can include rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and sexual slavery.
Unfortunately, society often views sexual violence and rape through a lens of victim-blaming, where the victim is often blamed for the violence they experienced rather than holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions. This often leads to a culture of silence around sexual violence and rape, where survivors may feel ashamed or afraid to speak out about their experiences.
Consent is a critical component of sexual violence prevention, as it involves ensuring that all sexual acts are entered into willingly and with the full knowledge and understanding of all parties involved. Consent is the responsibility of each individual involved in the sexual act, and it must be given freely and actively. Consent cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated, under duress, or unable to give consent due to their age or mental capacity.
There are provisions in Child Rights law that protect children from sexual violence and rape. These provisions include the criminalization of child sexual abuse, the protection of child victims and witnesses during legal proceedings, and the provision of support services to child victims of sexual violence.
To curb the menace of rape and sexual violence in society, there is a need for a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, protection, and response. Prevention efforts should focus on changing social norms and attitudes that condone sexual violence and promote gender equality. Protection efforts should focus on creating safe spaces for survivors to report incidents of sexual violence and to receive support and services. Response efforts should focus on holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and providing justice to survivors.
In conclusion, sexual violence is a global issue that affects individuals of all ages and genders. It is critical that we work together to address this issue and create a world where everyone is free from the fear of sexual violence and rape.