Groundbreaking Event:The Hope of Healing Initiative.

Women everywhere face untold challenges. SOTHAWACA decided at the end of 2014 to introduce a new concept, a new idea and a new way for you to help the women of the grass roots. To pursue our keen interest in the Global Violence Elimination Program, we are starting a novel concept stemming from many years of experience and research in this regard. It is going to be a comprehensive approach to supporting women and children who suffer from violence in the home.Hope of Healing Concept is a new beginning, for SOTHAWACA and for women in Edo North ~ Owan East and West Local Areas (to be precise). 

Since the year 2000 on the field, we have listened to women speak of the violence they have experienced and have continued to experience, the untold hardships they face when trying to access help and, in particular, the sense that they are trapped with no alternatives and no support. While 1 in 3 women throughout the world is a victim of domestic abuse, studies have indicated an astounding 95% of low income women in Owan East and Owan West LGAs suffer from physical and/or sexual violence. 

Most painfully, we all realize that 'Violence is a Quiet Tragedy that Affects us All' in one way or the other. 

Until very recently, there has been no awareness of the extent, nature and impact of domestic violence. Violence stems from women's subordinate position in society, especially in a culture as traditional and patriarchal as Nigeria. While awareness of violence is slowly emerging, there are still very few services supporting women and addressing public attitudes and policies. Until SOTHAWACA (alongside like-minded NGO's) began her campaign in this regard, there were little no services offering a comprehensive package of counselling, and life skills development; it is in the context of this vacuum that we are launching the Violence Elimination Program in the 2 LGA's. The Hope of Healing Concept is a ground-breaking initiative that is going to assist and empower women, children, and the greater community. 

The recorded figures of reported cases of Violence against Women and Children may only represent the tip of the iceberg. One thing we wish to emphasize is the fact that a variety of factors such as social pressure, economic pressure, family pressure, lack of education, lack of appropriate services and ultimately lack of feasible alternatives dissuade women from leaving a violent situation or finding help. 

An Innovative Approach to Assistance and Empowerment 

The Hope of Healing Initiative is going to be the first comprehensive women's outfit in Owan East and West LGA. The program strongly reflects SOTHAWACA's philosophy that women's empowerment, their ability to question their existing reality, to challenge prevailing structures, and to choose among alternatives, can take place by helping women help themselves. This project breaks new ground for the international women's movement and is a one-of-a-kind project in our rural community. After more than a decade of successful range of programs, services to women & children and geographic coverage, SOTHAWACA now feels that to a large extent, we have the institutional capacity, experience and support to pursue one of her initial areas of concern, namely, challenging the controversial issue of violence against women.