Scourge of domestic violence hits men_Public Eye

Name of article: Scourge of domestic violence hits men

Name of publication: Public Eye

Country: Lesotho

Theme: Gender Based Violence

Synopsis

Brief description of the item of work you submitted and motivation of why it is a good example of gender awareness and sensitivity in advancing gender equality Post-2015.

The article puts on the microscope the role women play in influencing domestic violence. It also continues to unveil of whether men too are victims of just perpetrators gender based violence. This article may have been recently published but it is one of the few pressing on an issue not spoken of. In a bid to promote gender equality and bring a stop to gender based violence, there is a need for the media to report stories relation to gender issues which in this instance ‘the focus on domestic violence’. This piece is a good example of gender awareness and sensitivity in advancing gender equality because it took a different angle and among realities exposed, religious leader and key advocacy organisation reveals the role of women in the perpetuating violence. The article does not only focus on individual stories but looks at a social aspect of violence incite.

Background (200 words)

Why did you produce the story? What problem or context is it responding to?

After reporting on a number of gender based violence stories over a period of time, I realised a gap with gender awareness advocacies. Men were seen as perpetrators of violence with women always victims. I over time followed police reports as well as reported cases with gender advocacy organisations and realised that fewer men speak of experiencing violence in their households. It was last year when I interviewed a woman who admitted of being an abuser in her households. The article’s objective is to build male victims of abuse to not be afraid to speak forward about their encounters. The article is a bridge to the ongoing one sided advocacy which has been described by men when speaking of gender issues; it offers two sides of the coin and breaks the ice on how social norms influence domestic violence.

Key objectives (100 words)

What did you hope to achieve with this coverage?

I wanted to tell a balanced story showing how abuse is an act of both a male and a female act which needs addressing. The article also covers the societal impact on domestic violence.

Target audience (200 words)

Who did you hope to reach? Did you succeed in reaching this audience? What evidence do you have to that effect?

Well, the article was targeted to everyone who feels passionate about gender equality issues. With the people who were interviewed on the article, I wanted to have reactions from advocacy organisations, victims of abuse, both male and female, religious leaders as well as the policy makers. Evidence of effectiveness was outlined in the stories covered on the article. It was not the first time I take an angel similar to this and the ability to speak to a woman who was an abuser and a victim is evidence enough that my efforts are being realised.

How did you go about researching and writing the story?

How did you gather the data, how many sources, female and male did you consult? Why did you choose these sources and how were their voices important?

Data for the article was collected from different sources but the most relevant one was the Gender Link Barometer study which was up to date. I used the National statistics data to verify numbers and I used different case studies from different advocacy organisations in the country, however, I chose to run with the two victims I got from She Hive organisation because they painted a picture of how unbalanced the gender based awareness campaigns have been. The way I met them felt relevant because it was during the celebration of father’s day yet both a man and a woman were sharing their experiences of abuse. I also spoke to the founder of She Hive who has experience violence and has incited and influenced violent acts towards her life. All voices were important because they outlined the depth of the problem and highlighted how even incidents which are seen as minor can impact on the bigger problem.

Feedback (300 words)

What impact did it have? What evidence do you have to illustrate impact?

Please provide any examples of feedback that you received from the articles (from websites, letters, etc.)

I have not received any tangible feedback.

Attach all relevant feedback documentation here:Follow up

How would you conduct a follow up to your story and why?

I spoke with She Hive organisation but to follow-up I plan to contact all other organisations that handle gender issue to see if there are any male victims which have come forward. I am planning to do a follow-up because I believe there is a need for societal rehabilitation towards domestic violence. With Lesotho’s plan to pass a domestic violence Act, I also plan to incorporate policy in the follow-up. Click here to view