For #16DaysofActivism against gender based violence, Diaspora Africa sat with Paola Pace, the acting Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria to discuss challenges that have confronted women on the move in Nigeria.
From conflicts to climate induced crises and search for greener pastures elsewhere, migration has been the top-most option for many people around the world. Asia, Latin America, Middle-east and Africa are the continents currently batting the increasing surge in emigration of their citizens to European countries in search of better lives.
At the heart of migration crises are people from Sub-Saharan African, who face more challenges with worsening economies, climate disasters, uncertain futures and wars that force them to flee their homes. Their journeys too, full of doubts which leads to many losing lives and hopes upon which they embark their journeys.
For example, since their last report in July 2022, an estimated 3,045 persons have perished or gone missing along migratory routes across the Mediterranean Sea, according to a UNHCR report released in April 2024. It also estimates “that forced displacement has increased further since June 2024, and barring rapid positive developments in one or more large displacement situations, will continue to rise in 2024.”
More to the migration crises is the Gender-based violence phenomenon that continues to affect to worsen the plight of women caught in the web of migration in Nigeria and around the world due to their vulnerability.
In an interview with Diaspora Africa, Paola Pace, the acting Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria explains that, “It is very difficult to have a realistic overview of this (migration) burden. However, we can refer to worldwide figures that say that 1 in 3 of all women have suffered SGBV in their lifetime.”
GBV Challenges Facing Migrant Women in Nigeria
Women and children are part of the most vulnerable groups susceptible to gender-based violence in Nigeria. With issues around conflict and climate mishaps, they become more exposed to such violence.
Regions that have experienced conflicts have suffered greatly with internal displacement and migration and that has intensified gender-based violence and women and children scout for resources. “Internally Displaced Person’s camps are among the vulnerable groups because they have lost their homes and some of them have very limited and almost no resources, so more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse”, Pace said.
More so, she adds that “often the places where they live are badly illuminated, and that, we know, is a contributing factor to GBV. In addition, when they live in un-formal settings, the lack or limited law enforcement make it easier for perpetrators to act.”
Poverty, gender (woman), and location are other contributing factors to increasing gender-based violence which contributes to migration. Pace states that, “some regions in Nigeria are indeed more vulnerable, such as the North and the South East. And then, of course, the more vulnerable the person is, the more it can be exposed to GBV. Poverty is a key contributing factor. We are seeing now in Nigeria some women selling themselves or their daughters just for food.”
Empowering Communities to Combat GBV
Awareness, information and campaigns are necessary to mitigating GBV especially at the grassroot levels. According to Pace, “Main need is quality and compassionate care and support that addresses the harmful consequences of violence.”
In line with the 16 days of activism against gender based-violence, IOM focuses on ‘supporting survivors saves lives’. This is the campaign sponsored by IOM this year and it aims to raise public awareness about the importance of supporting GBV survivors and how specialized interventions save lives. With this, IOM will highlight the importance to mainstreaming GBV risk mitigation efforts in order to save lives while advocating for prioritizing GBV in humanitarian responses and emphasizing the need for increased funding.
The IOM has in place programs and measures to mitigate and combat gender-based violence in Nigeria. Pace highlights that “in order to mitigate risks, we work in IDP camps with our governmental and non-governmental partners to make sure that the camps have good lightening, separated toilets for men and women and locked doors, for example.” These have proven to be effective measures in lessening the plights of migrant women and children in the country.
Seeing the necessity of equipping staff with new knowledge on how to address GBV issues, IOM engages in training and sensitizing of staff in displaced populations, as well as law enforcement officers. This it says will better support victims of GBV. “There are specialised actors working in this field, but IOM supports in creating committees that are present in the camps and we create or reinforce referral mechanisms, to be able to give a first response to GBV cases” Pace added.
IOM also collaborates with local authorities, religious leaders and other organizations to combat SGBV in migration contexts in Nigeria. Pace admits that, “The work with local authorities is key, as we cannot do it alone. The engagement of all actors is fundamental to prevent, mitigate and respond to GBV. In this sense we work with the State governments in key areas of displacement, and with the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Health actors, SEMA, NAPTIP, and law enforcement officers. We have delivered several training sessions to reinforce the capacities of the staff to prevent and respond, and we reinforce their services when in need and possible.”
Success Stories and Future of IOM in GBV
The positives that IOM mission in Nigeria sees in the fight against GBV in Nigeria aids to spread its initiatives around the country where GBV is practiced.
Notably, Pace says that “In Benue State we are working closely with the State Government to address the high numbers of GBV in the camps. We have trained NAPTIP, law enforcement and SEMA officers and other key actors on gender aspects, for them to understand the gender dimensions and how negative masculinity contributes to GBV, to understand the risks and how they can mitigate GBV in their work, and how to better respond to cases, without judgment. We are just finalizing now the creation of a referral mechanism for victims.”
IOM will have more collaborations to ensure the risks of GBV are reduced and migrants are protected especially in the future. According to Pace, “in the immediate future, in Edo State, we are just going to start a new initiative in support to the State Government and to the Commissioner of Women Affairs, with the support of the Swiss government, is the adaptation of a new SAC centre, as the state has only one in the State, and they aim to create more centres in different LGAs. We will then support them in refurbishing one SAC centre and training their staff to be able to better respond to survivors.”
Building on the platform of empowerment “We will of course continue our work on risk mitigation and in empowering women and girls, at the same time that we work with men to advocate for positive masculinity”, she said.
Writer: Nusaiba Ibrahim
Editors: Amaka Obioji, Chimee Adioha
Design: Olakunle A.