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Hello and welcome to IWMF Live. Today’s chat focuses on the International
Women’s Day’s theme, “Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls.” Our guests are Aulora Stally, Maisha Yetu project manager; Otula Owuor, Maisha Yetu trainer for Kenya, and Beata Kasale, Maisha Yetu trainer for Botswana. Owuor and Kasale will be joined by other officials and organizations from their countries, including:

• Sheila Tlou – Minister of Health and member of parliament in Botswana
• Maggie Mbaakanyi – Assistant Minister of Education, president, Women\'s Parliament Caucus in Botswana
• Mary Amuyunzu – medical anthropologist, African Institute for Health and Development in Kenya
• African Population and Health Research Centre, Kenya

Sam: In Kenya, what is the legislative policy regarding violence against women?

Moderator: Kenya has just passed the Kenya Sexual Offenses bill which should ideally control violence against women. However, it remains to be seen how the policy will be implemented.

Pascal Raditsebe: Hello, I would like to know this, I don't know if I am wrong or would sound insulting. I would like to urge Women themselves to encourage each other to respect their families, and interact with their husband in order to avoid this abuse. some women tend to abuse the independence that their husbands give them as well as the equality and sort of decision making in their families. Its not that I hate that. I f you can permit me I would like to give example of myself. I am divorced, and this I blame it on myself, or was it because I loved my wife too much to the extend that I had given her as much power I had in the family. She run her own business, finance and needed no go ahead from me if she wanted to do business. she ended up using the freedom I gave her to come home late, had no time for the family and was struggling with our kid who I was bathing taking to the medical check ups, and baby seating during weekends while my wife was enjoying herself in an extra marital affair. It went on for months and when I complained to her she claimed that I wanted to control her life now and business. she told her mother that I was bull dozing her. I leaved in that pain until I got her red handed and she rushed off to file for divorce. So if women could be honest themselves then we could see such abuse declining. At 32, many of my pals and other guys of the same age are married and understand very well of how to treat a woman. It is only a woman who abuse the honor the are given by their men. I might have opened some wounds somewhere, but just wanted to share this with other people. Thans

Moderator: Hi pascal, you sound more in pain than insulting. If you you thought about it more objectively you'll notice that most women who experience violence dont even leave their spouses and are victims. I believe that any two adults should be able to talk out their differences if not part ways without physically harming each other. I do agree that as human being we are prone to making mistakes but is it ok to break someone's limbs just so they learn a lesson? Will it change the situation? The day men marry women who they respect and have an understanding with and not women who are after their money and power with pretty faces is the day narriages will last

Hi Pascal, it's Aulora here. I think it is important for you to move away from personal opinions and look at the facts concerning this harmful practice. Research points out that VAW is increasing and the link to HIV is evident as well. We need to be more gender sensitive in our perspectives as journalists and avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Pascal Raditsebe: I would like to thank this chat which I hope would help a lot to interact. My comment is more of the same as MISA Director Modise Maphanyane who once said at a press breifing in Gaborone last week Thursday women seem active only when it is the International Women's Day, and they tend to seek media attention at this time. During the other times it become difficult to get news from them. My concern to add is that, these women also shun the media in Botswana when they try to follow up stories, or try to take stock of the development made so fr in trying to either sensetize women on violance against them, or on the positive achievement, seat backs and see if women are making use of the services available to them. My question now is if such situation prevails, type of red tape thing what should we do. We cant just ignore. Maybe my other last question/comments, I think it is unfair, do you really scrutinise and assess the violance cases and blame who is to blame? With regard to Botswana, as a journalist practising here, I am much against this because it seems a fashion in Botswana now. I am sorry to say this, but its my observations. woman just take men as cash cows and when the going is enough they get rid of their men in a way that will make sure the man goes to jail for sometimes, while they move on with life. The concerned women or organizations should really look into this if they want to end violance against women and girl children. Thank you

Moderator: It is unfair to blame women for taking men as cash cows without looking at the broader socio-cultural context within which this happens. Our society still regards men as financial providers, a role which many men themselves avidly defend. What you should be questioning is why men are unable to handle disappointment when a relationship seemingly comes to an end. The media reports so many stories of men turned violent upon discoverinig their partner's cheating on them but has never gone beyond that to pose the question as to why we have a generation of men who are not able to handle disappointment. Lulu Tlale, Psychologist, Botswana

Sam: In Zimbabwe, what role does the media currently play in informing the public about violence against women?

Moderator: Aulora responding on media coverage of VAW: Much media research is pointing to the fact the reporting is biased and does not adequately share the voice of women, so the move is towards 'concientising' newsrooms to be more gender sensitive and prioritise these issues through improved, balanced use of language, evidence-based reporting and policies that allow journalists to be more responsible and lend balance to women and girls, as well as men

dorcas phirie: 1. I would like someone in Kenya to share some positive strategies for addressing cultural aspects that encourage gender based stereotypes. 2. How can schools be utilised to strengthen the necessary relationships between boys and girls required for building safe and secure environments for all.

Moderator: Joseph Mutua, Kenya hi, Dorcas. The 21st century school of thought is an implementable strategy to counter cultural gender based stereo types. Modernization encourages literacy and a literate person makes rational decisions that challenge in human practices like wife battering and other related gender violance

Lynn Povich: Are there laws against domestic violence in your countries and if so, are they not being inforced?

Moderator: Yes, there is a growing move towards introducing laws that protect women, and this is evident in Kenya and South Africa where bills have been passed to curb domestic violence and sexual offenses such as marital rape. The media needs to work with govt and NGOs to better understand legislation and disseminate this info to empower people. Aulora

dorcas phirie: 1.I believe it is important for teaching and learning environments to be sensitive and alert to behaviours and practices that may give way to gender based stereotypes depicted in textbooks and all learning materials. Take a common scenario in our school playgrounds, boys are in most cases chasing after girls. And if left unaddressed it sends out a sutle message relating to who is the 'chaser and chased'

Moderator: Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo - Kenya I do agree with you Dorcas. However, most of the stereotypes are generated in our homes. The way mothers interact with their sons and daughters marks the beginning of the stereotypes. In a study we conducted in 6 districts in Kenya, girls complained of lack of time for homework because they had to help at home after school while their brothers did their homework. The situation is particularly grave in rural areas where homework has to be done before darknesses due to lack of lighting. One secondary school that had lighting allowed boys to go back for prep but not the girls because they did not want to be held responsible if the girls got pregnant!!

Gifti: Beata, how do the women featured in the Voice Babe, a feature in the Voice, feel about the relationship between women's portrayal in the media and violence?

Moderator: Gifti, the women featured in the feature do not have a problem, however there are people who feel the page portrays women as objects. One of our experts, Lulu Tlale, a pyschologist spoke about this at the workshop we held yesterday in preparation for this chat. Maybe you should direct the quest to her. I saw a question from Pascal Raditsebe but it is not featured here. Dr Tlale was responding to it. Our traditional dancers wear skins covering the breasts and the lwere body (like a bikini). This is acceptable so why is a page 3 Voice Babe not acceptable? Beata, Botswana

Jane Ransom: What are some story angles that would help make a strong link between violence against women and HIV/AIDS?

Moderator: Some good story angles would be exploring the level and extent of this and challenging cultural stereotypes that seem to 'allow' this to continue ... such as polygamy, alocohol linked to bad behaviour, decision-making when it comes to having sex, economic empowerment which lie largely in the male domain. - Aulora, Zimbabwe In Kenya violence against women especially during armed robberies increasingly include rape and hardly day paases without such dragic events. Therer is Nairobi Woemn's hospital where they are given treatment including ARVs and counselling. Journalists especially those who were IWMF-MY programme routinely gather stories from the hospital where at least 18 rape cases are handled daily to help monitor the trend and keep the public informed about the need to support girls and women and even men who are raped. There are ways to generate stories from Widows are forced to be inherited when their husbands die with chances of being infected remain high. Forced circumscision and marriage of young girls are other story angles especially when knives are not sterilised and no HIV tests before such marriages to older men who are polygamists. In other words there are many angles that can help generate stories with impact/ addition-by Otula in Kenya

Elisa: Is training on how to reduce VAW, particularly in family situations, ever offered as part of AIDs treatment or counseling.

Moderator: Unfortunately, conventional HIV/AIDS counseling training does not cover VAW. Women are instead encouraged to persuade their partners to use condoms or use the female condom themseleves. In situations where there is violence, such advice is unlikely to be able to be carried out. HIV/AIDS treatment and counseling at the moment only focuses on the medical aspect, as in taking ARVs, eating right etc. The social, cultural and psychological aspect of the disease are not addressed.

Sam: In Kenya, what role does the media currently play in informing the public about violence against women?

Moderator: There is a 16-day period dedicated to covering information on violence against women every year in the mainstream media - this has been done for the last 3 years with tremendous success. - Journalists interested in violence against women have been involved in workshops which have been facilitated by different experts in the field. Through these workshops the journalists have gained knowledge that has been reflected in the reporting on VAW. -journalists have been linked to organizations dealing with VAW whom they consult if they need technical information.

Kgosana Masaseng: In your view, do you think women are doing enough in involving their male counterparts in issues of gender and equality? How would you react to instances where other people feel that women are fighting their batlle alone?

Moderator: Masaseng, this is not about what women or men alone are doing - it is more about the serious issue of violence that is disporportionately affecting women in many ways due to poverty and lack of empowerment. Women and men have to work on this together to curb violence, and not in isolation. There are men's groups such as Men for Change (SA) and Padare (Zim) working to do just that, but women are also very much a part of the process. Women's NGOs in the regiona also recognise that is it crucial to include their male counterparts. Aulora

elizabeth njuguna: I find it interesting that we should have experts from various institues addressing VAW and yet the most basic which is the family seems to be ignored. where do children learn what it means to be a man or woman? I believe it is by the way the father treats the mother and vice versa. Could we have these experts addressing the issue from a family perspective. The institution of the family has gone through a dramatic change. Please comment.

Moderator: Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo - Kenya The main problem with the current focus on VAW is examining the issue from a victim perspective. It is important to look at the issues from the macro-level. As society becomes more violent (e.g. urban crime and rural crime has gone up) the more violent households become. It is important also to relate increasing levels of poverty and inequity on the positions of women in their households. Frustrations as a result of lack of employment and inadequate public sector provisioning are likely to impact on gender relations.

Kimberly: How would additional funding or resources help to bring attention to the issues surrounding violence against women in Botswana?

Moderator: More funding and resources translates into more programs and activities through which issues of gender violence canbe brought to the attention of the nation. The problem is not so much that people are unaware of gender based violence more so than it is that they are not aware of its detrimental effects not just to the person being violated, but also how the family and the entire community is negatively affected by the violence. The country needs more community based programs that highlight these issues, instead of what we usually have where the "top dogs" get together to merely discuss issues. With more funding and more resources, we could target communities and schools and highlight VAWC such that it reaches everybody. Lulu Tlale, Psychologist, Botswana

Sam: In your opinion, is there one country or region in Africa that stands out as a leader in reducing violence against women? If so, what are they doing that others are not?

Moderator: VAW is a major problem in all of Africa although the level and extent most likely differs - owing mainly to research and documentation that is available, for eg in SA where women is killed by her intimate partner every 6 hrs (Medical Research Council). The right thing to do is for us as jurnalists to send th right message and not reinforce what has not worked. Be open about the situation and talk, report, scream and shout so someone can hear - the media is the best tool to do this! The secrecy and silence in most African countries is actually allowing this to continue. At individual levels, girls must be told it is wrong, at community level, it is not OK for a relative to touch you, and at state level, policies need to be put in place and work.

Kimberly: How would additional funding or resources help to bring attention to the issues surrounding violence against women in Kenya?

Moderator: First the media needs to have more skilled journalists who have been sensitized to routinely cover issues of violence against women effectively playing their role as voice of the voiceless and eyes of the unseen. There is tendency to highlight the issues during the 16 days media campaign against women and it has been noted that even in such days various organizations spend time talking about their own activities and accomplishments. Yes there is room for improving the media coverage. There need to extend media coverage to rural communities and have journalists who are skilled at handling cultural issues in a manner that easily depicts the need to find solutions. /Otula

Archie Mokoka: What sort of strategies will be used to support women and girls affected by violence?

Moderator: Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo - Kenya - Safe homes are quickly emerging as a strategy for providing refuge for abused women. It is important for these facilities to be extended to the rural areas where women need them most. With our patrilocal arrangements, it is difficult for an abused woman to take legal action because she lives with her in-laws. She will need an alternative place to stay. Going back to her natal home is usually not an option because bridewealth will have already been paid. -Educate people, especially in rural areas, of what to do when abused and where to go for help. Some women take no action because they do not know what to do.

elizabeth njuguna: the OCHA(UN)has released some documentaries thru IRIN-films titled:"Our bodies their battleground" on gender based violence in war-torn countries, as well as 'razor's edge'on FGM. these are 15min documentaries but am yet to come across our own local media productions that highlight not just VAW in conflict or post conflict regions but also incidences of domestic violence as well as the forms of violence experienced by IDPs.am i to believe that cost as opposed to human life is what counts.

Moderator: Lulu, Botswana Perhaps the reason we don't have local productions is because as a society we haven't internalized gender based violence as being wrong. A lot of it is still culturally condoned. And unfortunately too, producing even a 15 minute film costs money, lots of it. NGOs are struggling to get funding, and what funding they do get goes towards activities and programs that they deem may be more beneficial. Perhaps it is also something that they have not considered in the past.

Gifti: Beata, can you tell us a little bit about the passion killings taking place in Botswana?

Moderator: In Botswana we are faced with a catastrophe, cold blooded murder which has been labelled \'passion killings\', In 2006 there were 65 cases in which over 100 people died. These were women killed by their partners and husbands before the perpetrators killed themselves. In January 2007 there has been 10 cases in which 10 women have been killed and 4 perpetrators killed themselves. In January alone 14 people have died due to these passion killings. The general dilemna facing the media is whether we should cover these murders, how to cover them without encouraging more men to kill their partners in the name of a crime of passion.

Kgosana Masaseng: Hi Stally,its good to hear from you after so long. To what level do you think your organisation and others can go in making sure that there is commitment on the part of governments to adhere to what they have signed aimed at protecting women? Mass, Botswana

Moderator: Yes, governments need to be accountable for what they sign on paper. As journalists, we have the power to do this in many ways. Educate ourselves on the global declarations that become regional and then national. Make it our business to find out what has been done, what has not, and find out why ... and write about it. Most importantly create links with MPs and leaders in your country where you can talk about these issues. We are seeing more women representation in politics now, and who best to target but those holding portfolios that can directly help make positive change and support commitments that work. Aulora

Sam: Here are some facts and figures from South Africa:

Moderator: • Between April 2004 and March 2005 in South Africa, 55,114 cases of rape were reported to the police. The number of actual cases was likely much higher, considering only an estimated one in nine women report cases of sexual assault, according to the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC also estimates that a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six hours. (PlusNews)

Sam: Here are some facts and figures from Kenya:

Moderator: The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS, 2003) indicates that almost half of Kenyan women and girls experience some form of violence (physical, sexual, verbal, and/or emotional) in their life time. UNAIDS reports that 49% of Kenyan women reported experiencing violence in their lifetime; one in four had experienced violence in the previous 12 months. Still in Kenya, 83% of women and girls reported one or more episodes of physical abuse in childhood; 46%reported one or more episodes of sexual abuse in childhood

Sam: Here are some facts and figures from Zambia:

Moderator: Teenage girls and young girls are at increasing risk of rape and violence, which is often associated with their earliest sexual experiences. One in eight teenage girls in a Zambian study said they had forced intercourse (UNAIDS, 2004)

Sam: Here are some facts and figures from Ethiopia:

Moderator: In Ethiopia, physical and sexual violence within marriage are common, and women have little room to negotiate condom use or refuse sex to an unfaithful partner. A 2005 World Health Organisation (WHO) multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence revealed that in a one-year period nearly a third of Ethiopian women reported being physically forced by a partner to have sex against their will.

dorcas phirie: Yesterday as we prepared for The International Womens day, I was humbled by the thought provoking discussions that ensued and I kept thinking to myself that as journalists we have it in our pens and feathers to turn around the ills that face our societies. For example one of the suggestions made was to: be proactive and provide balanced reporting on laws that protect women and men.Also engage governments in increasing opportunities for rural communities to access HIV and AIDS information and the necessary gender education for addressing HIV and AIDS.

Moderator: it is true that as media people you guys have to be proactive, and i will have to add that, while reporting, there seems to be some sacred cows in the society who can pay their way through and they will escape being revealed in the media even when they perpetrate evil. so my advice will be to revisit the media ethics (which is well known in theory) and folow suit.

Sam: Here are some facts and figures from Zimbabwe:

Moderator: On average six girls, most of them from child-headed families, report rape daily in Zimbabwe, according to the Girl Child Network (GCN). This translates to about 6 000 girls who report rape annually, and according to statistics, three times the number do not report rape due to lack of courage, counselling and quality health service delivery.

Sam: Here are some facts and figures from Botswana and Malawi:

Moderator: Marital rape is becoming common in Southern Africa, as women are being forced to succumb to the needs of their partners. Judges in Botswana and Malawi have made judgments declaring that consent to sex, even in marriage, is inherent.

Kathleen: What is the attitude in news rooms about violence against women? Do editors support stories on VAG? How hard is it for men and women journalists to pitch stories on this subject? What approaches work in your news rooms?

Moderator: VAW in the newsrooms is an issue in sub-Saharan Africa - both in terms of coverage and actual newsroom behaviour. Last week, I heard of 2 different cases of women who were physically abused by male counterparts in the newsroom! One had a hearing, the other was promoted!! So, we have alot of work to do. In terms of coverage, women still dominate news on violence and they are portrayed as victims, lesser beings, bad/negative images and disturbing headlines ... the work being done in the SADC region by NGOs and media instns will hopefully change this trend. Aulora

Sam: What is the relationship between violence against women and HIV/AIDS?

Moderator: According to UNAIDS, 59% of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women and girls. In some countries, this group is seven times more likely to be HIV positive than their male counterparts, according to A Call for Action on HIV/AIDS-Related Human Rights Abuses Against Women and Girls in Africa. The inter-relationship between violence against women and girls in the context of HIV and AIDS is significant, given that violence in the form of forced sex increases the risk of HIV transmission. The Lancet reports that women in South Africa who are in relationships with violent or domineering men are 50% more likely to contract HIV than women not involved in abusive relationships. Violence limits women's ability to protect themselves from HIV and creates a barrier to critical health information and services, including testing and treatment. Research in South Africa has shown that women with violent partners have a 50% greater risk of contracting HIV, and in Tanzania women reporting violence are 10 times more likely to be HIV+ than women in non-violent relationships. According to the WHO, rape is a passage for HIV transmission because “in forced vaginal penetration, abrasions and cuts commonly occur, thus facilitating entry of the virus…” According to UNAIDS, 60% of women at a Zambian clinic who had access to free anti-retroviral treatment turned it down because they feared violence and rejection from their husbands if they were to disclose their HIV status.

Kelly Kasale: I believe that children and young girls as well as boys should be taught how to recognise the early signs of sexual abuse so that parents are aware of the problem before it takes hold. How do you address this issue. Kelly Botswana

Moderator: Yes, it is important for parents to give signs at an early age and this has happened in African society where traditionally children get information on sex and sexuality from aunts and uncles. However, with socialization and urbanization this trend has changed. The research has pointed out that the main perpetrators of sexual abuse are relatives of the children, so the approach as to be extremely careful. - Aulora

Joseph Mutua: People complain that talks om VAW take place only days before and after International Womens Day. What response can you offer to such claims?

Moderator: Yes, we need to step up coverage of VAW so that it is process-driven and not event driven. Maisha Yetu has done this very well in its work with six Centres of Excellence in Botswana, Kenya, and Senegal by exploring issues in-depth, seeking wide information sources to talk about the issue (incl vulnerable groups, women, youth, etc) and getting feedback that will jolt new dimensions to the same topic. I would encourage journalists to do the same in their work, and prioritise these issues on the news agenda as a news need - and keep it alive. It is an issue that affects the very fabric of our ives, so let's exercise our social responsibility role as journalists. Aulora

Gifti Nadi: Do you have general recommendations for the media?

Moderator: The media is strategically placed to raise healthy debate on the issue of violence against women and girls in a sensitive, compelling manner. Rather than create alarm and instill fear, the media can reduce prevailing stigma and discrimination linked to violence, abuse and HIV. Instead of reinforcing negative stereotypes and portraying women as victims, the media can balance its reporting and develop stories that provide hope to the helpless. Media practitioners must have a creative eye for story writing that contributes a human face and sends a powerful message. Useful ways to do this is carefully monitor the topic of violence, abuse and HIV, and develop story angles and approaches with diverse sources of information that give the same topic different angles and demands feedback in a gender sensitive way. Developing partnerships with media houses and introducing a code of conduct, a style guide and/or an HIV and AIDS and gender policy in media houses is another useful approach. Engaging with the media helps instill a good sense of values in terms of reporting ethics and approaches, and creates improved story development, good practice, diverse information sources and champion the plane of discussion, for example, re-looking at images and headlines that negatively portray women.

Sam: Here are some useful resources for journalists:

Moderator: Development Gateway, http://topics.developmentgateway.org/hiv Gender and AIDS UN site http://www.genderandaids.org. Gender and HIV/AIDS Electronic Library http://www.genderandaids.org Gender Bulletin (Inter Press Service) http://ipsnews.net/africa Gender Links www.genderlinks.org.za http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2006/20060630_gcwa_re_violence_women_girls_kenya_en.pdf Violence against Women and Girls in the Era of HIV and AIDS Write to: Mediadesk@safaids.org.zw

Archie Mokoka: What has been done to try to change the mind sets of men? Is it working,or are we working to get good men in the coming generations?

Moderator: thanks Archie, i think everything begins from the family. If the parents are educated on the way to train their children, then we can be sure to have a set of well trained men. but in so far as we remain on a superficial leve and keep treating symptoms instead of the root cause, then we are no where near the solution. From Otula.... In Kenya we have Men Againt Gender Violence who are doing a wonderful job educating men, the media policy makers on the need to respect women's rights and stop all forms against violence against them in fact they have developed sensitization strategies that remind most men about their mothers, sisters and wives. They participated in IWMF workshop which we held on the 5th of March and was quite an eye opener. The media had branded them men who have been battered by their wives and they meet to "weep and seek sympathy." Still as women excel in education, sports, politics etc the mind set is bound to decline.

Thank you for submitting your questions and for joining us today on IWMF Live. Also, thanks to the IWMF’s Maisha Yetu trainers and journalists for their participation.