OpenDoor Network Crimes Against women and children seminar

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OpenDoor Network Crimes Against
women and children seminar

• AkiDwA presentation
• By Nobuhle Ncube 20/11/ 2009

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AkiDwAs Background

• AkiDwA was Established in August 2001
• National network for African/Migrant women living
  and working in Ireland.
• AkiDwAs main areas of work are policy, advocacy,
  capacity building, gbv, information and support
  provision.
• Its work on Gender based violence focuses on
  human rights and development based on a gender
  perspective.
•  

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AkiDwA Key Objective areas on GBV 

• GBV covers a broad area - Conflict- based rape,
  fgm, dv, forced marriages, trafficking(Source WHC
  2009)
• AkiDwA mainly focuses on FGM and Domestic
  violence.
• Training and consultations with migrant women and
  service providers.
•  

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AkiDwAs work on domestic violence

• Since its establishment in 2001 AkiDwAs work on
  this area has been influenced by women coming to
  seek support and information .
• So far more than 62 African women experiencing DV
  have been supported
• AkiDwA was contacted in 2003 by women in hostels
  experiencing domestic violence.

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continued

• Consequently, issues relating to African women
  and domestic violence became a primary concern.
• In 2007/8, awareness-raising workshops on
  domestic violence were held in
• five counties in Ireland.
•  One to one support delivered to African women
  experiencing domestic violence

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continued

• Baseline survey Domestic violence amongst
  migrant communities in Ireland (March 2009)
• Domestic violence toolkit Identifying needs of
  African and other Migrant Women experiencing
  Domestic violence in Ireland (April 2009)

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AkiDwAs Approach to Understanding Migrant Women
ExperiencingDomestic Violence

• AkiDwA asserts that domestic abuse of migrant
  women in Ireland involves power and control.
• Further aggravated by issues of cultural
  backgrounds, tradition and immigration status
• Abusive spouse utilises various types of abuse to
  control

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African women experiences of dv

• Isolation from friends and support services
• Emotional abuse eg. Lying about her immigration
  status/ claim to authorities/ trying to get her
  deported.
• Using children threatening to take children out
  of the country.
• Intimidation Hiding/destroying important docs
  ie. Passport/id card, child benefit books
• Using citizenship/residency privileges -
  threatening to withdraw or not filling docs to
  legalise her stay

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Information resource - Domestic violence toolkit
- Objectives

• Raise awareness and increase understanding of
  domestic violence and its dynamics within African
  and other migrant communities.
• Highlight the importance of acquiring knowledge
  of cultural diversity for service provision.
• Increase effectiveness in responding to the needs
  of African and other migrant women living in
  Ireland.
• To encourage an informed, person-centred approach
  in providing support and information to African
  and other migrant women.

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Importance of community based response - What can
faith and religious leaders do to make a
difference

• Religious congregations in Ireland have become a
  great source of support to African and other
  migrant families.
• This includes support on domestic violence, child
  custody and separation.
• Thus it is important for pastors and other
  religious leaders to provide non judgemental
  support and offer practical help, apart from
  spiritual support.

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Challenges to addressing dvCultural issues
identified

• Patriarchal societies man traditionally and
  still holds a position of superiority and it is
  commonly not frowned upon if he physically
  dominates his female partner.
• Societal beliefs that women should be submissive
  to men.
• Some societies accept wife battering as a way of
  disciplining a married woman.
• Married women are asked to endure battering
  hoping that the situation will change.

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Issues related to accessing support services

• Lack of culturally sensitive services
• Difficulties in accessing refuge accommodation
  for women asylum seekers and children
• Lack of proper or access to free legal advice
•  Fear of reporting abusive partner to the Gardai
• Fear of being labelled as a traitor by the
  community
• Shame/ difficulties in opening up to strangers

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Providing a service to migrant women

• Never assume that you know it all because needs
  of Migrant women change with time and cultures
  and societies also evolve.
• Always use a person centered approach Sometimes
  service providers can be frustrated by a womans
  reluctance in reporting or leaving an abusive
  relationship

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Checklist for service providers

• How sensitive are we to other cultures?
• Does race/color affect the way we provide our
  service?
• How might your beliefs and assumptions impact on
  the way you provide your services?
• Do we have written policies on cultural
  diversity?
• Do we consider women as experts of their
  situation or do you see yourself as an expert?

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Contact details

• Nobuhle Ncube
• AkiDwA
• Women Development Co-ordinator
• 9B Lower Abbey Street
• Dublin 1
• 00353 8148582
• 087 9256565