FIELD REPORT ON STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN POLITICS

AKURE-NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

NAMES OF REPORTERS
(1) Mrs. Arogun Olayinka Rachael
(2) Mrs. Bola Iyang
(3) Olayemi Oluwatobi

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DESIGNATION

Akure-North Local Government Area

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHED:

Average of 500 people
Introduction
In line with the aims and objectives of this project which is basically on the need to create
awareness and conscientize the general public on the reoccurring violence against women
particularly on election day and to ensure increased participation of women on voting.
While it has been statistically proven that women participation on election day has been
outrightly low compared to their numbers as registered voters.
In furtherance to this – it has become a major concern to know that the emergence of
violence in different forms have drastically contributed to low turnout of women on
election day. During our field work some women reported some of the violence recorded
in the time past are as follows:
 Kidnapping
 Sexual harassment
 Inability to vote for candidate of their choice due to husband influence
 Marginalization
 Injured when crisis occur at polling stations/booths.
 DAY 1
Communities: Oba-Ile and Owode Community
Period: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Date: 6th of October, 2020

WHAT WAS DONE

From our end the process started from Oba-Ile community (first gate and second gate)
and Owode community where we focused on both men and women. We were driven to
men at some places to ensure proper sensitization on key reasons they need to permit
their wives to go out and vote rather staying indoor doing nothing on election day. Also,
we lend our voices to let women know that voting is a right and civic responsibility for
anyone who has attained the age of 18years upward and with a valid permanent voter’s
card (PVC). Interestingly, through our sensitization we allay their fears and worries
concerning perpetrators who are most times not being prosecuted - by letting them know
that presently the narrative has been changed through a toll-free number that will be made
available before, during and after the election in order to report any case of violence seen
or encountered without any form of delay processes.
In addition, getting to the police barracks at Owode where we met some wives of the
policemen who promised not to vote due to lack of good governance and total neglect by
this present administration. However, as an educator we let them understand that the only
power they have now is to go out and cast their votes to whomever they feel will consider
their plight and extend the arms of good governance to them.

DAY 2
Communities: Eleyo-Owo, Oba-Wole, Bolorunduro and Ogbese Market
Period: 8:30am – 2:47pm
Date: Thursday 8th October, 2020
WHAT WAS DONE
During the day 2 sensitization on Stop Violence Against Women in Politics Campaign
we ensure to have captured other non-indigenous members of the community through
other languages which are different from the local dialect of the above communities in
order to let our message circulated across the communities.
Importantly, aside meeting with people on the street and one-on-one method adopted, we
also paid an advocacy visit to some key people within these communities that can assist
in passing the message to their people and know that a deserving punishment will be
placed on anyone find guilty of any related offences on women.
Indeed! Many of them were happy to have the number for quick and urgent response
particularly to violence that may like to happen at the polling unit on election day.

DAY 3
Communities: Igoba, Ugheli, Shasha and Oro-Ojodu Ida
Period: 9.00am – 1:20pm
Date: Friday 9th October, 2020

WHAT WAS DONE

At the eve of the gubernatorial election, we carried our sensitization message on Stop
Violence Against Women in Politics Campaign to the four (4) communities listed above.
During this day several questions were being asked by both market women and villagers.
Some of the questions asked are stated below
(1) Are you sure there will not be fight tomorrow?
(2) Will the mobile number given assist to curb violence or what will they do in
responding quickly to any issue of violence?
(3) What about when we do not have airtime on our mobile numbers – how can we
call the number?
Beautifully, we answered their first question based on the security measures put in place
by INEC and the security agencies to ensure the safety of voters. Additionally, we added
that the peace accord signed by each aspirant from different political parties is a pointer
towards peaceful and credible election.
Concerning question 2 – we let them know that the number given is purposely to report
any form of violence observed or occur to any woman in their surroundings. Unlike
before when such provision has not been in place which most times allow the evildoers
escape without being traced.
For question three 3 – we informed them that the number is toll free, irrespective of any
network on their mobile phones. It was added that the line will be opened starting from
Friday 9th October, 2020 till Sunday 11th October, 2020 in order for them to make any
report before, during and after the election.
At shasha market where it is being predominately dominated by the Hausas – we equally
seized an avenue to see the head of the community and his subordinate on need for
women to come out and vote. While we also explained the main reasons why it seems
rampant for women not to come out as expected on the election day. They equally agreed
with us and promised to do the needful and ensure that at their own end community
security in collaboration with other security agents will be set aside to monitor each
polling units within the shasha community.

FEEDBACKS
(1) Some of the community heads promised that they will ensure they encourage their
women not to sit at home during the election day without exercising their
franchise.
(2) During our sensitization we realized that many of them concurred with our
message and they were all smiling for hearing such message from us.
(3) We realized that at first people suspect we are working for a political party not
until we let them know that it is a non-governmental organization working for the
betterment of the citizens. I feel this can be acted upon against next time.
(4) Some reported that previous numbers issued out for any emergency do not usually
go through and hoping that this will be a different case.
(5) Some people suggested that this exercise should be a continuous process in order
to increased and continuously increased women participation in election and
likewise in politics.