Communications Strategy on The

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY ON THE

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN TO END GENDER VIOLENCE

& 2008 SIXTEEN DAYS OF ACTIVISM PLAN

NAMIBIA

From Left: Emmanuel Ngaringombe, Whoopi Hansen and Adjoa Osei-Asibey attending a Strategic Communications and IT capacity building workshop

Copyright: Clarence Tashaya

CONTENTS

Introduction 3

Framework for developing messages and slogans for the campaign 5

365 Days communications action plan 8

2008 Sixteen Days action plan and calendar 15

Namibia 365 Days Calendar 18

Annex A: Programme 19

Annex B: Participants list 21

INTRODUCTION

Background

29 representatives from civil society attended a workshop aimed at building the capacity of stakeholders on strategic communications and IT skills based on the Action Plan to End Gender Violence and to plan for the Sixteen Days of Activism campaign. In July 2006 key stakeholders including NGOs, government officials, and UN agencies developed an Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence. In order for the action plan to be relevant to grassroots women and men a concerted effort is needed to popularise key aspects of it. This will go a long way in cultivating a zero tolerance to gender based violence with a cross section of society. Sixteen Day of Activism provides an opportune time to take stock as well as leverage the action plan.

The use of IT for advocacy formed an important component of the training. It took forward ongoing work by Gender Links and the Gender and Media Southern Africa Network (GEMSA) in training gender activists on how to use IT for gender justice using the IT for advocacy manual co-produced by both organisations.

Holding the workshop in the build up to the 2008 Sixteen Days campaign is against the background that the period provides an opportune time to heighten awareness on the action plan as well as align national action plans to key gender based violence targets in the SADC Gender and Development Protocol. A key target in the Protocol is halving current levels of gender based violence by 2015. This can only be achieved through shifting mindsets and ultimately behaviour change among other initiatives.

Communication skills are critical to the success of any advocacy campaign. It is also recognised that a sustainable way of addressing the high levels of gender violence is through promoting primary prevention efforts which are largely based on communication for social change principles.

This workshop provided hard skills as well as a framework for collaborative action that will ensure the skills are applied and can be used for any future campaigns. Emphasis was placed on the area of education, training and awareness building outlined in the national action plans.

Objectives

At the end of the workshop participants were equipped with skills to;

·  To develop a targeted campaign using the National Action Plan as a framework.

·  Come up with a communication strategy for fighting gender based violence.

·  A strategy to use Sixteen Days of Activism Campaign to leverage the action plan to end gender based violence.

·  Equip participants on the use of IT for advocacy with emphasis on running of on-line campaigns. This will support efforts to promote debate and empower women to speak out through the use of ICTs.

·  Train media practitioners to work with survivors of gender violence to document their experiences.

Outputs

The Key outputs of the workshop included:

·  A communication plan for reducing gender based violence

·  A Plan for using for the Sixteen Days of Activism based on thematic issues

·  Key messages and materials for use during Sixteen Days

·  365 Day calendar as a tool to stretch the 16 Days campaign to365 Days of Action

Next steps

Task / Who responsible / Timeline
Finalise report / Sarry/ Loveness/ Adwoa / 20th October 2008
Sixteen Days multi-stakeholder meeting / Preparatory Committee on Sixteen Days, GEMSA/NANGOF to get buy in towards the calendar of events / 22nd October 2008
Cyber dialogues facilitators meeting and identifying venues / Sarry to get names of facilitators and possible venues/workshop participants to register as facilitators / 22nd October 2008
Budget for cyber dialogues / Sarry / 25th October
Finalisation of the 365 Day Calendar / Sarry working with NANGOF gender sector / 31st October
Launch of the 365 day calendar / All / 4th December

1

FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING MESSAGES AND SLOGANS FOR THE CAMPAIGN

Arena for action / What needs to be communicated to or by these groups / Slogan / What communication tool should be used /
Individual
Abused woman or man / ·  There is need for upholding human rights including political, cultural and economic rights
·  Let abused women and men that support groups do exist
·  Safe Shelters exist / Peace for life,
Do not be a victim, get support / Radio, TV, billboards, newspapers, flyers, posters etc
Abused child / ·  Rights of the Child
·  Safe Shelters
·  Sex Education
·  Service Providers / If something makes you sad, call ######### (is there a pre existing number?) / Drama inc puppets, TV, Radio, Posters,
Abusive men / ·  Education on Human rights
·  Support groups
·  Equal Rights for all
·  Sex Education
·  Gender Based Violence is a crime / Change for a better future / Radio, posters in shabeens, billboards
Family/ Household
Mother / ·  Health related and wellbeing issues
·  Available support programmes and services / My rights are human rights / Pamphlets,
Radio, church meetings
Father / ·  Social support programmes
·  Awareness of equal rights for men and women
·  GBV is a criminal offence
·  Financial responsibility for children esp. After divorce / Break the cycle. Stop GBV
Being responsible IS being a good father / Radio, posters in shabeens, billboards
Guardian / Ditto / Ditto / Ditto
Grandparents / Maintenance awareness/social grants / Pamphlets, newspapers
Parenting / ·  Positive parenting
Extended Family / ·  Awareness of the law
·  Abuse of the law is punishable / It’s never too late to change / Radio programmes, posters, pamphlets, meetings in schools
Siblings / ·  Raise awareness of the rights of children
·  Awareness of social support
·  GBV education through entertainment / Be empowered; know your rights / School meetings, school newsletters, curriculum,
Community
Community / Need to mobilise communities to create safe spaces / ·  Advocate against Gender Based Violence and make our community a safe place for the future
·  Stop violence and break the silence
·  Love does not hurt , care for your family
·  Speak out against violence
·  Be the change you want to be/see
·  Speak against abuse
·  Expressing myself through violence is not my style
·  Silence promotes abuse, be the voice against violence / Posters, pamphlets, bumper stickers, Date calendar
Schools / -
Religion / Spread the word
Sports / -
Society
Political leadership / ·  Loop holes in Legislation system
·  Raising awareness to ordinary citizen on GBV / ·  Stiffer laws for perpetrator of GBV
·  Know your rights and exercise them / Radio, Posters demonstration, Shirts, Caps and brochures
Criminal justice
System / ·  Efficiency and effectiveness in rending services to GBV victims / Today it is me, tomorrow it is you; Speak out about GBV / Radio, peaceful demonstrations and internet
Media / ·  Respect privacy and confidentiality
·  Be trained on how to report GBV and stiffer work ethics of media practitioners / Media cover GBV with respect / Radio, news papers, Peaceful demonstrations
Culture / Condone the cultural beliefs, norms and values which violate women’s rights / Culture does not harm, It builds / Drama, music shows, videos, community dialogues

365 DAYS COMMUNICATIONS ACTION PLAN

OCT 2008 – DEC 2010

OBJECTIVE / ACTIVITIES / TARGETS / TIMEFRAME / WHO RESPONSIBLE /

OUTPUTS

/

BUDGET

/
GENERAL
To ensure the public is aware of the 365 Day National Action Plan to End Gender Violence using 16 Days of Activism / - Free concert every quarter with a theme on ending gender violence / Youth,
Parents / Ongoing / Min of Gender, NGOs
Church leaders / One free concert every quarter in each region
Church activities every quarter with a focus on addressing gender violence in the home / Families / Ongoing / Council of churches, members of the council of churches / One church activity every quarter
In the Home/Unorganized Communities
To reduce gender based violence in homes and unorganised communities / Drama performances / Families, youth, abusive men, victims of GBV / Ongoing / Mabasen, / One performance per quarter in every region
To educate members of families on gender based violence and the link with HIV and AIDS / House to house visits / Families, women, men / Nov 2008 - 2010 / Volunteers, TRP, Min of Gender, community leaders / Target that each household is reached by December 2010
Open market days for promoting an end to gender violence / Individual men, women, youth families / Nov 2008 - 2010 / Local municipalities, volunteers, Min of Gender, / One open market on GBV every 6 months per region
In schools
To promote culture of zero tolerance of GBV in schools. / Debates
Competitions
Cultural Dance
Posters / School children / Ongoing / Volunteers
Teachers
NGOs / Successful debates, posters, competitions and cultural dances / N$20,000
To facilitate school children open up on violence they experience at home and in the school set up / I stories
Poems
Paintings
Drama workshops
Songs / School Children
Parents/Guardians / Ongoing / Teachers
Volunteers
Social Workers
Gov Depts? / Publication of I stories, Poems, paintings / N$ 2,000
To build collective power in solidarity against Patriarchy / Organize & Hold Provincial Community Dialogues for parents, educators, learners & Rural Community Stakeholders on GBV & VAWC in Education / General Public / Ongoing / National and local governments
NGOs
Community Leaders / Successful Provincial Izimbizos
Successful Community Dialogues / N$35,000
Rape reduction; empowering women to speak out / Dialogues/workshops in community halls, schools and churches
Peaceful demonstrations / Women, girls and boys / Ongoing / NGOs
Volunteers
Service Providers / N$30,000
Hate crime
Awareness of (violence?) of LGBT people / Workshops with service providers, communities and schools about sexuality / Community
Churches
Schools
Youth / Ongoing / NGOs / N$ 35,000
Culture, tradition and the role of men
To reduce and eventually eradicate harmful cultural and traditional practices / Meeting with traditional and community leaders to reflect on harmful cultural and traditional practices / One meeting per 6 months per region
Report on meeting outcomes
Produce IEC materials in local languages / Traditional leadership / Nov 2008 – Dec 2010 / NANGOF, CBOs / 50,000 x leaflets
10,000 x posters
(in 10 local languages)
Promote men’s involvement in ending gender violence / Workshops with groups of men in communities / Men,
Young boys / Nov 2008 – Dec 2010 / CBOs, White ribbon / Reports of workshops and meetings held
Gauge public attitudes to harmful traditional and cultural practices / Undertake Periodic baseline survey on culture and tradition and how it could exacerbate GBV / Traditional leaders, community leaders / March – Dec 2009 / Baseline report
HIV and AIDS and GBV
Increase Awareness on the link between GBV & HIV/AIDS / Conduct Public Awareness campaigns &
Workshops / Women, men, young girls and boys / Ongoing, launch in 16 days 2008 / Government supported by NGOs / National awareness campaign via national announcements, posters, national and community radio
Social events such as music concerts / General public in every major city / Monthly, ongoing / FNCC
Dept. Of Health
Banks (in terms of sponsorship) / Quarterly music concert
Faith leaders incorporating HIV and AIDS and link with GBV in their sermons/teachings / Council of Churches, other Religious communities / Ongoing, particularly focusing on significant dates / Faith leaders / Sermons incorporating GBV / Free
Pyramid scheme workshops giving information and certificates of attendance/completion / Youth / 2009 - 2011 / City of Windhoek
NGOs plus volunteers / Workshops twice a week (in case participants miss the early week session)
Positive movie clips/short documentaries via SMS / General Public / 2009 onwards / NGO partnership with Telecom, Cellone, MTC / Monthly SMS campaign launched – targeting the 16th of every month
GBV and link with HIV and AIDS mainstreamed in monthly workshops and conferences on other social issues / Women, men, young boys and girls / 2009 onwards / SACHI / Slot in SACHI’s monthly workshops/conference
Branding/logo/quotes/slogans on plastic and paper shopping bags / General Public / 2009 onwards / ??? / Well branded messaging on shopping bags
- Short films/clips to be shown in movie theatres as part of trailers, short films to be shown in community halls / General Public / 2009 onwards / FNCC / High Quality films/clips for distribution to the general public
-Debates on community radio on theme for the month in which different organizations can also report back on how they are doing
- Use dialogues with women and men who have followed up with personal stories (i.e. how are they doing now?) / Government in association with KCR, GRP and other community radio stations / Monthly topical debates following themes of the 365 Calendar
To lobby legislators to outlaw forced sterilisation of women living with HIV and AIDS / Collect evidence of cases of women who have been sterilised without their consent / Legislators, Min of gender, Min of Health, Health service providers / Nov 2008 / ICW / Research report / N$100,000
Develop petition and collect signatures to hand to parliament against forced sterilisation and abortion / Legislators, Min of Gender, Min of Health, Health service providers, / 2008 Sixteen Days of Activism / ICW, NANGOf / Petition handed to parliament with at least 1,000 signatures / N$5,000
Produce IEC materials on risks/implications of forced abortion and sterilisation / Women living with HIV and AIDS, legislators, service providers / Nov 2008 – Dec 2010 / ICW, NANGOF, GEMSA / 10,000 X leaflets
5,000 X posters / N$50,000
Making use of special dates in the calendar to stretch the campaign
Develop, Support & Implement a Governance Calendar of Significant Women’s Dates / Develop 365 Day calendar / General Public / Launch date end of 16 days campaign / ??? / 365 Calendar
Publications
To share good practices and progress in addressing gender based violence / Document good or promising practices of programmes on primary and secondary prevention of gender based violence / General Public / 2009- 2010 / Government / Progress Report
THE MEDIA
To promote ethical reporting of gender based violence / Conduct media monitoring / Media practitioner including journalists, editors, media owners and the general public / Gemsa / Report on media monitoring / To promote ethical reporting of gender based violence
Media debate / Media practitioners / Within the 16 days of activism / Gemsa, GenderLinks,
Broadcast stations / Successful Media debate held

Framework