Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a Nigerian Knowledge Institution in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme/European Union (UNDP/EU) in the implementation of components of the Spotlight Initiative successfully organized a two-day capacity building workshop on Shadow Reporting and Follow-up on Obligations in Relation to Human Rights Monitoring Mechanisms on SGBV/VAWG/HP and SRHR. The workshop held at 3J’s Hotel, Utako, in Abuja, Nigeria on 20 and 21 August, 2020 from 9am daily.

The Spotlight Initiative is focused on the eradication of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), violence against women and girls (VAWG), harmful practices (HP) and the promotion of the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and girls. It has an overall vision of a Nigeria where all women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable, live a life free from violence and harmful practices.

50 participants consisting of women’s and girls’ rights advocates, civil society organizations (CSOs), NGOs, Faith based organizations and the media from 3 focal states; Adamawa, Sokoto and the FCT  participated at the workshop with FAME foundation represented by its Programme Manager, Ms. Anna Mambula. Two resource persons and 4 programme staff, totaling 56 persons.

The workshop was designed with the purpose of equipping participants to understand the following: What is shadow reporting? Why shadow reporting? How is it done and at what time? Furthermore, the strategies to maximize benefits from shadow reporting as well as follow-up issues.

Topics presented at the workshop with the use of Slide and lecture type presentations, also group work and syndicate sessions are as follows;

(a) The Purpose of Shadow Reporting: How did shadow reporting evolve; benefits and takeaways from shadow reporting; functions, and objectives.

 (b) Standards on SGBV/VAWG/HP and SRHR under which Shadow Reports can be Submitted:  Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and its  Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICESCR), the Convention on the Rights of the Child; the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, etc.

(c) Indicators for reporting of key articles under CEDAW, African Charter on the Rights of Women, SDG5 and relevant articles of International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and any other relevant Standards:  The relevant indicators on SGBV/VAWG/HP and SRHR in SDGs, CEDAW and its substantive demands in the reporting process; National Gender Policy and its implementation framework; relevant indicators and data in the National Demographic and Health Survey, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Nigerian Education Indicators, etc.

 (d) Proceedings at the Committees or Expert Bodies: Process and procedure at the Expert Bodies

(e) Follow up Mechanisms: Policy advocacy; legislative advocacy; media and dissemination strategies; getting the judiciary to know, etc.

The participants were group into 5 groups to further identify and discuss laws, policies and harmful practices that contradict the rights of women and girls as stated by CEDAW. They were also instructed to identify new laws that could improve the rights of women and girls, or ways the gender gap can be reduced.

At the end of the workshop, evaluations were also taken to assess participants understanding on all topic discussed and they were also encourage to put into practices what they have been taught for the realization of a common goal, which is, ending any form of violence against women and girls.

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