Mission report: International Observatory on Violence against Women in Ngazidja

From 19 to 24 June, the delegation led by Pascale Labbé, vice-president in charge of the departmental Observatory on violence against women and equality between women and men, and including Ernestine Ronai, head of the departmental Observatory on Violence against Women (OVF), Maïra Topall, international projects officer at the OVF, Jean Baptiste Dulos, general affairs officer at the International-Europe Department (DEI) and Cyril Benoit, decentralised cooperation project officer at the DEI, travelled to Ngazidja.

For more information on the first mission to the pilot region: Ngazidja 2022 mission report

This second mission was an opportunity to meet up again with the Governor, Mrs Mhoudine Sitti Farouata, who reaffirmed her commitment to the project. In 2022, the Seine-Saint-Denis delegation had the opportunity to attend the inauguration of the Ngazidja Observatory on Violence against Women and minors. Since then, the involvement of partners and the support of the governorate have enabled the Observatory to develop successfully.

A new diagnosis was carried out in 2023 by Myriam Abdallah, head of the Ngazidja Observatory, to update the 2022 diagnosis. This diagnosis led to an action plan to be implemented until 2025.

Among the priorities for 2023 is an awareness-raising campaign on the dangers of early and forced marriages. This campaign, run by the Ngazidja Observatory, aims to raise awareness among the population and the Comorian diaspora of the dangers of these practices, which are common in the Comoros. To launch the campaign, a daylong event to raise community awareness  was held on 21 June 2023 in Ivembeni with women’s associations from the region, in presence of the Governor, the team from the Ngazidja Observatory and the team from the Seine-Saint-Denis Observatory. In addition, campaign posters were put up in several parts of the capital, notably on the road leading to the airport.

The training of professionals is also one of the priority actions for 2023. Two training sessions have been organised: one for professionals involved in the fight against violence towards women, who would like to become trainers, and an awareness-raising session on forced marriages for mayors and cadis, with the participation of the Association of Mayors of Ngazidja.

To open the trainers’ session, Myriam Abdallah presented the different forms of domestic violence , as well as the statistics resulting from the diagnosis of violence carried out by the Ngazidja Observatory in 2022. Ernestine Ronai, head of the Seine-Saint-Denis Observatory, reiterated the importance of knowing the data on violence against women and girls in order to take action against it. The second part of the morning was devoted to the consequences of forced marriages. Following the reading of an extract from the book ” The Impatients “, by Djaili Amadou Amal, the participants had the opportunity to discuss what they had observed in their daily lives and what they felt was needed to improve protection for victims. Some of the participants who attended the training sessions in 2022 spoke of the changes they have seen in the way they receive and support women who are victims of violence.

During the first mission, the International Observatory delegation met several times with professional members of Ngazidja Observatory, but this year the delegation focused on field visits. These were an opportunity to talk more with professionals and find out more about the situation on the ground.

The delegation visited the National Police Force for discussions with Colonel Tachfine Ahmed, Commander of the National Police Force, and his team. French colonel Eric Panloup, who participates in the establishment of rooms for holding hearing of minors, also called “Mélanie” rooms was also present. Colonel Tachfine Ahmed presented his team, which includes 12 police officers trained for hearing testimony from victims of sexual violence, a forensic doctor, a psychologist and a social worker. Since the opening of the Mélanie room in Moroni, 25 children have been interviewed.

The delegation also visited the “Les Hirondelles” association. Founded in 1981 by women’s associations in Moroni, the association offers vocational training courses for girls and women who have not been to school or who are underperforming at school. The courses in dressmaking or cooking (pastry-making and restaurant work) last 2 years, and a certificate ceremony is held at the end. During the visit, Myriam Abdallah presented the Ngazidja Observatory and the different forms of violence against women. The young women and trainers present spoke out on the subject of violence, in particular forced marriages.

The visit of the ASCOBEF clinic, a member of Ngazidja Observatory’s Steering Committee and a key player in the care of women victims of violence, was an opportunity to discuss the issue of therapeutic abortions. This practice, which is permitted under Comorian law if the continuation of the pregnancy endangers the woman’s health, is rarely used by healthcare staff for victims of sexual violence.

The Seine-Saint-Denis delegation also met two members of the ASCOBEF Youth Club. The club organises awareness-raising and information campaigns on gender equality and access to family planning for young people.

The trip to Comoros was also an opportunity for the International Observatory delegation to visit the project developed by the Etoiles d’Auber association. The International Observatory works with international solidarity associations and diaspora women involved in the fight against violence towards women. As part of this work, Etoiles d’Auber is setting up a Women’s Centre project in Foumbouni, as well as an awareness-raising tour on sexual violences in the Mbadjin region.

The mission also provided an opportunity to meet the French Ambassador, Sylvian Riquier, as well as the Director of the AFD Comores agency, Réjane Hugounenq, and her teams.

The week ended with a dinner at the Governor’s residence with a number of professionals, including members of Ngazidja Observatory’s steering committee and new partners such as the Red Cross representative, the World Health Organisation representative and the General Delegation for Human Rights.