‘Untreated cases of sexual violence often lead to Infertility in women’

As infertility in women seems to be on the rise, experts have linked causes to various lifestyle issues. However, a fresh discovery is highlighted in this interview with Anthonia Obokoh, where Anita Kemi Dasilva a specialist Obstetrician and Gynecologist, and the founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) speaks on sexual violence and its health implications. Excerpt:

How would you describe gender based violence and its implications on the society?

Gender Based Violence comes in many different forms and can be found within a family, community and in the society. It is an act of violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. The most pervasive form of gender-based violence against women is rape. It affects all young women regardless of their race, class, culture or socio-economic status

What can you attribute to the rising incidence of rape?

Traditionally, women are placed in a stereotypical role of being seen as subordinates to men, which would prevent them from making the choices needed to end the abuses. Men are thought to have attributes such as being the provider and head of the homes. This often times, can lead to a sense of entitlement by men. This inequality is often times encouraged by our cultural norms and practices in Nigeria. Children in our communities are brought up with this disparity being evident between boys and girls, which could lead to gender-based violence in later life. I also believe there may also be an apparent increase in the incidence of sexual violence and rape in our society as a result of an increase and better reporting of these cases by the media though these cases have always existed in our communities; In addition, with the advent of social media, more and more survivors have more platforms to speak out from and this should be encouraged.

What are the dangers of sexual violence to the victim and society?

Gender base violence is not just a violation of the body, but it is a violation of the human spirit that has a psychological and emotional impact as well as a physical assault. Gender based violence affects the individual, family and society. The immediate adverse impact on the community is a higher incidence of unwanted pregnancies and new cases of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; the long-term societal problems that subsequently occur are poverty with an increased incidence of illiteracy with an adverse impact on girl learning and unemployment. If anyone is sexually violated, you MUST encourage them to seek immediate medical attention and therapeutic psychological care as soon as possible.

Could sexual violence be triggered by mental disorder, stress or psychology and how can it be tackled?

There are multiple triggers that can be attributed the cause of sexual violence from a mind-set and behavioral tendencies that stem from personal experiences found in one’s up-bringing; cultural norms and practices that endorse this type of behavior in certain communities to unexplained cruel acts and punishment meted out by perpetrators. There is no quick fix to gender based violence. As multifaceted as the problem is, a similar view is seen with the solutions. It’s about implementing initiatives on intervention and prevention such as WARIF sets out to do; education and rising awareness, changing policy, community engagement, and bystander intervention that will bring more awareness to the issue and eventually, an improvement.

What roles should regulatory bodies as well as parents/families play to ensure that it is prevented?

Everyone has a role to play in eliminating sexual violence. This is not just a woman’s issue, but it is everyone’s issue. It does not concern only regulated government agencies and non-government organizations but all organizations. Existing regulatory bodies should devote support and resources to prevention and community engagement efforts. To parents/family members: Let your loved one know that you believe them, that it is not their fault and that you support them. Encourage them to seek assistance if they are willing and able.

What is the estimated cost attached to treating these cases and how have you been coping with the funding?

We have estimated that it costs the WARIF Centre N66, 000.00 to treat each survivor that is seen at the Centre, for a period of 6 months. Funding is a huge challenge and one we are constantly seeking. Being a Non –Government Organization, all our services and initiatives are offered at no cost to the survivors we assist and we rely solely on donor funding from corporate bodies, private organizations and the good- will of private individuals.

What is your advice to women who struggle with infertility issues?

Women who have infertility concerns would need to seek the specialized medical care and treatment required to identify the underlying problem and cause and provide treatment options based on these findings of the specialist. Sadly, one of the long term adverse impacts of sexual violence and rape is a high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases which when left untreated, could lead to consequences such as infertility.

In your partnership with Washington DC Rape Crisis Centre, how are you hoping to address frequent rape cases in Nigeria?

WARIF is presently working very closely with the Lagos State government to address the high incidence of rape across Lagos State; As a proud active official member of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), an excellent and very effective arm of the Lagos State government, made up of a select group of ministries and related government organizations- we have developed strong collaborative ties with the DSVRT and are adding essential services to the existing infrastructure made available by the State. The Washington DC Rape Crisis Centre (DCRCC) is one of the oldest crisis Centre’s in the United States of America and one of the organizations WARIF is collaborating with. We have been fortunate to obtain from this organization the expertise of training of our WARIF social workers by trained counselors from the DCRCC visiting Nigeria with the sole purpose of carrying out these training sessions. We have also benefited from the use of practical material and a knowledge base, which is extensive from the organization, and have adapted it to suit our environment in Nigeria.

In your partnership with the Nigerian police, how cooperative have they been in arrest and persecution of rapists and husbands who molest their wives?

We have also recently entered collaboration with the Lagos Police Force and met with the Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni and his dedicated area commanders in a recent interactive session held at the Officers Mess in Ikeja. There was a renewed commitment by the Lagos State Police Force to supporting survivors and the provision of an increased number of gender desks with specially trained officers in police stations across Lagos. Both organizations are very excited at the prospect of working closely together and are committed to addressing the needs of survivors and the persecution of perpetrators in reducing the incidence of these cases.

How do you intend to use your flagship centre in Lagos to fight incessant rape cases and sexual violence?

WARIF has established the WARIF Centre, Yaba – a fully operational sexual assault referral centre, which is open 6 days a week Monday to Saturday (including public holidays) from 7am -7pm. It offers medical care by trained medical staff and counselling with qualified counsellors. It also provides an efficient referral system with both government and non -governmental agencies to address the social welfare needs of survivors such as shelters for accommodation, legal aid and vocational skills acquisition. The services provided are free to all women in need; in a warm secure environment, where confidentiality and safety is assured by experienced and friendly staff.

What are the roles of the government in bringing to minimal level, rape cases and sexual harassment?

The Lagos State government has set up a Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) made up of a select number of ministries and related regulatory organizations such as Law Enforcement to address all aspects of sexual and domestic violence in the State. As a member of this regulatory body, WARIF works hand in hand with other qualified representatives to reduce the number of these cases in Lagos State. The Law pertaining to rape and sexual violence in Nigeria has recently been amended with the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAAP) Act 2015 which stated the penalty for rape is life imprisonment; this act has been extended to include gang rape and rape of a man as well as the introduction of a sex offender registry for all perpetrators convicted. This amendment by the judiciary of this law will certainly bring a positive impact on the reduction in the number of cases of rape seen. The introduction of raised awareness to the gender based violence in the educational school curriculum across Lagos State as well as an increase in the provision of gender desks with specially trained police officers in some police stations across the State are also key initiatives carried out by the government to address the problem and minimize the cases of rape and sexual violence seen.

What do you think other developed countries are doing right in addressing these issues that Nigeria still need to get right?

We need to improve our collaborative ties with all related organizations, both government and non-government working together. We need to pool our knowledge base, expertise and resources in tackling this problem. It is not one organization or individual’s concern but our collective responsibility to ensure that are society is free of sexual violence and rape.