Gender Based Violence

Gender-Based Violence (GBV): The organisation is a respected authority in gender-based violence (GBV) work for migrant women in Ireland. GBV work covers a broad area and AkiDwA focuses on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and domestic violence. AkiDwA works to improve delivery of support services for GBV related issues and provides guidance and training to migrant women experiencing domestic violence.

Understanding Gender-Based Violence: An African Perspective

This research was undertaken in response to the changing client profile attending gender-based violence service providers in Ireland and to address the needs identified by women contacting AkiDwA in relation to gender-based violence issues, including female genital mutilation and domestic violence. A summary booklet was developed to offer concise and helpful information to service providers working in this area.Summary booklet Also available is the read the research document GenderViolence.pdf

Domestic Violence Amongst Migrant Communities in Ireland, March 2009

This survey was conducted with two target groups: African women and service providers in Ireland. With regard to African women in Ireland, this survey was intended to ascertain a baseline of their understanding and perception(s) of domestic violence. Through discussions with African women, AkiDwA came to realise that this objective was influenced by the realisation that some African women only recognise the physical part of violence, such as battering, as domestic violence. In awareness raising training, AkiDwA saw in its small sample that verbal abuse and psychological/mental abuse is more or less tolerated and accepted, and not as recognised or acknowledged as a form of domestic abuse.

With service providers, the intention was to find out if African women were accessing their services. If so, what challenges were they facing as service providers in supporting African women, and was there an increase in African women accessing services? Through its work, AkiDwA has realised that there is an increase in requests and calls from African and other migrant women experiencing domestic violence, seeking support and information. Baseline Survey

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TOOLKIT; Identifying and Responding to the Needs of African and Other Migrant Women Experiencing Domestic Violence in Ireland, April 2009

This toolkit was developed in order to raise awareness and help African and other migrant women understand domestic violence and its dynamics. The toolkit was also developed to share an African cultural perspective, as well as provide insight into the specific needs and experiences of African women experiencing (or affected by) domestic violence. It illustrates unique factors of domestic violence cases of African women living in Ireland, and will highlight how better to facilitate their effective access to domestic violence support services.

It identifies:

a) challenges for all women seeking support in regard to domestic violence

b) how to respond to those challenges

c) emerging issues for African and other migrant women.

You can download the DVTOOLKIT2009 here