The level of Violence against women and girls is very alarming and one of the incessant issue is GBV and talking about gender based violence, it is a pervasive and visible human right violation that include physical, sexual, mental, or economic harm inflicted on a person due to socially ascribed power imbalance between males and females.

On this week’s edition of #PlayitDreamitTuesday we had a conversation on “GBV in Sports” hosted by Damilola Adewale (Programme Officer @Famefoundation), and Miracle Oluwafemi (Junior Programme Analyst @Famefoundation), who is also a para-legal personnel.

 QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Q1. GBV is one sensitive issue threatening the lives of women and girls. Tell us what we need to know about GBV?

A1. GBV is the physical, emotional, verbal, financial or economic abuse based on gender identity. 1 in 3 women are affected in their lifetime and GBV includes sexual violence- an attempt to obtain sexual act using force and without a person’s consent (sexual harassment, sexual abuse, rape, sexual exploitation). And emotional violence is an abusive behavior such as blackmail, coercion, financial and economic abuse and also physical violence.

Q2. Very disturbing enough to know that this a challenging issue, please enlighten us on the occurrence of GBV in Sports?

A2. GBV in sports is a serious issue. It has been noticed among peer athletes, between coaches and their athletes, other personnels such as managers, officials, physiotherapists and athletes.

There is also lack of awareness and sometimes complete denial about the existence of GBV in sports. And lack of awareness is because of fear of athletes losing their careers, and stigma faced by the victims.

Q3. How can we fight against GBV and how does sports come in to play?

A3. Proper assessment of sport professionals in order to ensure the protection of athletes is one of the effective measure of combating GBV

• Criminal background
•  psychological check-up

Raise Awareness

Proper implementation of laws and legislations that have been put in place.

Compliment the legislation and laws also like

• Guidelines on how to handle cases of GBV
• Measures to protect victims
• Procedures to report incidence of GBV
• Offenders registration system

Sports can also be used as a tool for advocacy to kick against GBV.

Q4. Are there any legal or policy framework provided to help curb the occurrence of GBV in sports?

A4. Yes! There laws provided to help curb GBV in sports and they are:

• Website on sexual harassment and abuse in sports- International Olympic committee (they focus on raising awareness on abuse and gender harassment)
• International charter of physical education activity and sport (UN safety/management risk).

Q5. Do you have any word of advice, suggestion, or opinions for GBV victims and Sports Organizations?

A5. My advice to every victim of GBV is to know that you are not to blame for your experience. Go for therapy if needed. Speak out and share your story, you are a survivor and by sharing your story you are doing it for thousands of women who have been forced to stay silent.

 I call on all sports organizations and governing bodies to create a safe space for victims of GBV. Let all the laws and legislation created to stop violations of women be properly implemented and enforced. No abuser or oppressor should go unpunished.