Sherna Alexander Benjamin of O.A.B.I.: We have to create cultures where women and men feel safe, secure, respected, embrace equity and equality
By Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. In the
following another interview which is part of our interview campaign about
projects struggling against violence against women. We spoke with ShernaAlexander Benjamin of O.A.B.I., and asked her about the objectives of her organisation and
about general issues concerning gender-based violence.
following another interview which is part of our interview campaign about
projects struggling against violence against women. We spoke with ShernaAlexander Benjamin of O.A.B.I., and asked her about the objectives of her organisation and
about general issues concerning gender-based violence.
Milena Rampoldi: What is OABI and what
does it stand for?
does it stand for?
Sherna Alexander
Benjamin: O.A.B.I stands for Organization for Abused and Battered
Individuals. O.A.B.I is a non-profit
organization which was founded in 2008 and officially launched in 2011, it
lobby’s for the prevention, reduction and elimination of all forms of violence
against women and girls, their economic and academic empowerment and advancement,
pushes for gender equity and equality, and work for adequate national, regional
and international awareness about gender-based violence. Being a non-profit at
present we are solely dependent on the goodness of concerned citizens to assist
us with our work and support with resource mobilization. We are also in the
process of developing a social entrepreneurship model and with external support
O.A.B.I will become sustainable.
Benjamin: O.A.B.I stands for Organization for Abused and Battered
Individuals. O.A.B.I is a non-profit
organization which was founded in 2008 and officially launched in 2011, it
lobby’s for the prevention, reduction and elimination of all forms of violence
against women and girls, their economic and academic empowerment and advancement,
pushes for gender equity and equality, and work for adequate national, regional
and international awareness about gender-based violence. Being a non-profit at
present we are solely dependent on the goodness of concerned citizens to assist
us with our work and support with resource mobilization. We are also in the
process of developing a social entrepreneurship model and with external support
O.A.B.I will become sustainable.
What is gender based violence?
Gender-based violence
is any direct or indirect act of violence committed against another person
regardless of their gender. Such acts of violence can be physical, sexual, psychological,
financial, educational, or religious in nature, and seeks to instil fear,
intimidation, coerce, shame and or cause severe pain, physical and sexual harm,
and death to a person.
is any direct or indirect act of violence committed against another person
regardless of their gender. Such acts of violence can be physical, sexual, psychological,
financial, educational, or religious in nature, and seeks to instil fear,
intimidation, coerce, shame and or cause severe pain, physical and sexual harm,
and death to a person.
Which are the best strategies to help
women?
women?
There are no
sure-fire strategies which can be developed to help women, if we must help
women we also need to help men.
Developing strategies which exclude men are not wise and may not be
fully effective as we also need to work with men to change some of the accepted
norms about women and girls, encourage them to speak with their peers about
respecting women and standing against all forms of violence against women is a
crucial part of the process when it comes to helping women. Education increases
knowledge and the wise use of knowledge changes mind-sets which leads to
action. Educating women and girls about their individual human rights, their
nation’s laws regarding women and gender, about how to lobby for change using
non-violent protest, the organization of effective groups to advocate for women
and lobby for policy and legislative change, job creation, technology use, economic
and academic advancement, and individual empowerment and emotional self-defence
are just some of the strategies which can be employed to help women and girls.
sure-fire strategies which can be developed to help women, if we must help
women we also need to help men.
Developing strategies which exclude men are not wise and may not be
fully effective as we also need to work with men to change some of the accepted
norms about women and girls, encourage them to speak with their peers about
respecting women and standing against all forms of violence against women is a
crucial part of the process when it comes to helping women. Education increases
knowledge and the wise use of knowledge changes mind-sets which leads to
action. Educating women and girls about their individual human rights, their
nation’s laws regarding women and gender, about how to lobby for change using
non-violent protest, the organization of effective groups to advocate for women
and lobby for policy and legislative change, job creation, technology use, economic
and academic advancement, and individual empowerment and emotional self-defence
are just some of the strategies which can be employed to help women and girls.
How is violence related to cultural
traditions?
traditions?
Research in the area
of violence against women and girls show some linkages between violence and
culture. Within each country there are a variety of cultures while there may be
one or two dominant cultures there are numerous sub cultures. Culture is
learned, shared and made by members of society it guides values, beliefs and
behaviours. Some cultures socialize their men and boys to view women as
property, things and only valuable purpose is for the extension of the family,
other cultures view women and girls as invisible objects who must be totally
subjected to the authority of the man even if this authority violently abuses
the woman many persons do not speak out because the constant and consistent
culture of violence is not seen as violence. Some cultures have taught women
that they must be shamed and beaten by men to be considered worthy and many
cultures use religion and religious scripts to violate and abuse women and once
again base on the culture this is seen as normal. Hence the reason I stated in
my previous response that ‘there is no sure-fire strategy.
of violence against women and girls show some linkages between violence and
culture. Within each country there are a variety of cultures while there may be
one or two dominant cultures there are numerous sub cultures. Culture is
learned, shared and made by members of society it guides values, beliefs and
behaviours. Some cultures socialize their men and boys to view women as
property, things and only valuable purpose is for the extension of the family,
other cultures view women and girls as invisible objects who must be totally
subjected to the authority of the man even if this authority violently abuses
the woman many persons do not speak out because the constant and consistent
culture of violence is not seen as violence. Some cultures have taught women
that they must be shamed and beaten by men to be considered worthy and many
cultures use religion and religious scripts to violate and abuse women and once
again base on the culture this is seen as normal. Hence the reason I stated in
my previous response that ‘there is no sure-fire strategy.
ProMosaik thinks that education is the
best way to overcome violence. What do you think about it?
best way to overcome violence. What do you think about it?
Education is one of
the instrumental ways to over violence however being educated and not
implementing or using that education can also lead to more violence, action
must always follow education, you make people aware through education and this
education expands an individual’s knowledge base, action coupled with education
is necessary for any change and for the reduction of gender-based violence.
the instrumental ways to over violence however being educated and not
implementing or using that education can also lead to more violence, action
must always follow education, you make people aware through education and this
education expands an individual’s knowledge base, action coupled with education
is necessary for any change and for the reduction of gender-based violence.
How important is the education of men
to struggle against gender based violence against girls and women?
to struggle against gender based violence against girls and women?
Even in
modern societies men are still considered to be the leaders working with men
and not against them is a step in the right direction, both men and women have
a right to be on the earth, they both can be perpetrators and or victims.
Educating men to work within their societies and groups to change the negative
culture about women and girls is not only practical but necessary. Women
working with men for change is the way forward as men can begin open and
private conversations with their peers about gender, and create cultures where
women and men feel safe, secure, respected, embrace equity and equality.
modern societies men are still considered to be the leaders working with men
and not against them is a step in the right direction, both men and women have
a right to be on the earth, they both can be perpetrators and or victims.
Educating men to work within their societies and groups to change the negative
culture about women and girls is not only practical but necessary. Women
working with men for change is the way forward as men can begin open and
private conversations with their peers about gender, and create cultures where
women and men feel safe, secure, respected, embrace equity and equality.
