By Agness Aber, Empowerment Officer
Often, violence against women and children is rooted in gender-based discrimination. THRIVEGulu offers Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness activities and trainings of lay GBV Monitors who live in the villages we serve. The goals of training lay GBV monitors is to eliminate all forms of violence perpetrated against women and girls and promote gender equality for all. As a trained Social Worker, I have experience working with children, adolescents and adults within my area of expertise, GBV and Social Empowerment. As the Empowerment Officer for THRIVEGulu, I use my community mobilization skills to train and supervise GBV monitors throughout the community.
At the community level, THRIVEGulu’s efforts in GBV awareness includes both prevention and response. We raise awareness through talk radio programs, distribution of educational materials (posters, wristbands, t-shirts, etc.) and community dialogue sessions. We include discussions on reproductive health and information for accessing local healthcare providers. Additionally, each year we organize and actively participate alongside our beneficiaries in global empowerment events including International Women’s Day and 16 Days of Gender Activism. These community outreach efforts empower women to speak about the issues that affect them and stand up to violence.
Along with awareness efforts and activities, THRIVEGulu collaborates with our highly trained Counseling Team in the reconciliation and healing of victims of GBV. Survivors of GBV carry with them the trauma of violence they suffered. Sometimes this trauma takes the form of a physical reminder (scars, permanent damage to reproductive organs, a child born of rape), but it always takes the form of invisible wounds – mental distress, including PTSD. THRIVE’s Counseling Team is always on hand to provide the mental health counselling required to help GBV survivors thrive again.
Here is an all too familiar case study of a GBV victim: After three months of marriage, Susan’s husband became abusive and began limiting financial support to her to buy essentials, such as food. Eventually, the severity of the physical abuse increased, and she was badly beaten one afternoon. One of the community members who recently trained as a lay GBV Monitor saw her condition and injuries. This monitor advised Susan to report the incident to local police who referred her case to THRIVEGulu for support. To ensure her safety and to prevent further harm, THRIVE staff arranged for Susan to stay in a local GBV shelter. The following day, Susan’s father was contacted and came to support his daughter. He expressed overwhelming appreciation to THRIVE for taking action to save his daughter.
Your donations help us to expand important initiatives to eliminate gender-based violence and give women a chance for gender equality. Thank you for your support!
