Measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted Partners West Africa Nigeria's (PWAN) advocacy visits and awareness campaigns related to human rights and sexual and gender-based violence. Lockdown measures have meant exclusive reliance on remote and media engagement.
Problems and Purpose
Measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted Partners West Africa Nigeria's (PWAN) advocacy visits and awareness campaigns related to human rights and sexual and gender-based violence. Lockdown measures have meant exclusive reliance on remote and media engagement.
With the lockdown across Nigeria as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, physical awareness creation programs have been suspended. This is most disadvantaged at this time, because enforcement of the lockdown by security agencies creates an avenue for interaction and in some cases breach of citizens’ rights. Beneficiaries of PWAN protection services, such as survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, are equally affected because they are unable to conduct confidential interviews and represent them in courts.
Background History and Context
One of the challenges in Nigeria’s democratic governance process is the lack of depth of public knowledge on reformed criminal justice laws in Nigeria. The laws include the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended); Administration of Criminal Justice Laws; Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, Child Rights Laws.
If citizens are unaware of existent laws that protect their rights and improve their ability to access justice, they do not have the power to demand accountability from government, seek for enforcement of the law in their favor, and ensure democratic principles are adhered to. This problem affects all citizens and residents of Nigeria, made up of men, women, girls, and boys of all faiths, ethnic groups and nationality. It affects young, old, able and persons with disabilities. Poor public awareness on criminal justice and human rights laws has been longstanding.
Citizen’s participation is the bedrock of democratic governance. The social contract between the state and citizens is that of collective participation, as such one cannot engage without the other. Therefore, citizens’ participation in criminal justice is key because it ensures accountability, collective ownership of the process, and increased credibility in the system.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Awareness raising initiatives are organized by Partners West Africa Nigeria, an non-profit, non-governmental organization.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
To commence the awareness process, PWAN identify a suitable community and reach out to their traditional and religious leaders, market women associations, youth groups, community-based organizations, law enforcement agencies, Nigerian Bar Association branch, media organizations through advocacy visits to inform them of the intention to sensitize their populace.
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Prior to the pandemic, PWAN usually engaged with citizens through physical awareness programs in communities, market places, schools, football fields, palaces of chiefs.
The programs also reached their audience through call-in radio programs, the PWAN website (distribution of information, education and communication materials such as fliers, posters on rights, arrest, bail, detention and community service provisions), and social media (Twitter, Facebook, podcast, etc.) The call-in radio[1] program allows citizens to ask questions while our team answers on the spot. With the pandemic PWAN engage only through these virtual platforms. A new approach has been carrying out radio-programs from PWAN workers’ homes and virtually speaking with citizens, because of COVID-19.
The outcome of the advocacy is used to create the agenda for the awareness and a stage-play script on “know your rights” that translates the laws into an easily-understandable format. At awareness forums, PWAN engage with law student clinicians from universities to dramatize the play; facilitate discussions with participants; allow law enforcement officials to engage with community members and learn from each other[2]. They also distribute our posters, flyers with infographics explaining the rights[3] in local languages. The use of local language is one practice that PWAN have continued with throughout the pandemic.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Evidence from before the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that the awareness are yielding measurable results [4].
(1) It has increased public knowledge on criminal justice and human rights. In the words of some participants:
“……I am more enlightened on my legal rights. I now understand that a woman can surety for someone on bail and I am aware that I can ask for search warrant from the police if the event arises.”
Abdul Isyaku Gwagwalada awareness Sept -2019
“Based on the awareness I now understand my rights especially……..the right to ask the police at the time of arrest the reason for my arrest.”
Honourable Kaka – Community woman Bwari awareness – Nov 2019.
“I did not know my rights before the awareness, I am more aware of them now”
Mrs Achembe Market woman – Bwari awareness Nov 2019.
(2) The awareness has equally improved the relationships between citizens and law enforcement agencies. In all the awareness programs police officers responsible for the communities made presentations and shared phone numbers of their stations.
Analysis and Lessons Learned
Want to contribute an analysis of this initiative? Help us complete this section!
See Also
References
[1] https://www.partnersnigeria.org/reform-kuje-newsletter-volume-2/ [accessed May 2nd 2020 @ 12noon]
[2] https://www.partnersnigeria.org/reform-kuje-newsletter-volume-4/ [accessed May 10th 2020 @ 5:20pm]
[3] https://www.partnersnigeria.org/pwan-reform-kuje-newsletter/ [accessed May 1st 2020 @ 1:36pm]
[4] https://www.partnersnigeria.org/reform-kuje-newsletter-volume-3/ [accessed May 10th 2020 @5:12pm]
External Links
https://www.partnersnigeria.org/
