30 The relevance of human rights
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING
The relevance of human rights
Aim . To introduce human rights and their value for those working with trauma .
Explain the human rights perspective . Explain why it is important to recreate a sense of dignity and control . Key ideas might include : accountability , justice , redress , and the right to health . Explain why a human rights-based approach is relevant to work on trauma and GBV , and can make our work more effective .
Introduce the notion of human rights , taking account of the expertise of the group . You might adopt one of the approaches below : 1 . If the group has a good knowledge of human rights , refer to the sections in Part I on Respect for human rights and Violence against women ( pages 10-12 ), and to Section 8 of Part III on Reporting .
2 . If the group has less knowledge , explain the sections in Part I on Respect for human rights and Violence against women ( pages 10-12 ), and Section 8 of Part III on Reporting .
3 . Alternatively , refer the participants to the same pages , say they will have an opportunity later in the training to discuss the values and principles of human rights , and underline that human rights affirm that :
• Women who experience violence are entitled to claim redress and protection .
• Men and women who commit violent acts against women are accountable for their acts .
• Governments have a duty to protect women from violence , take action to punish those responsible , and create social and political conditions in which violence against women will no longer occur .
We will also discuss how helpers can support survivors constructively and appropriately when survivors decide to report their abuse or file a complaint , to obtain justice , reparation or protection from future abuse .
You might make use of the speech below . It celebrates three women awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for fighting violence against women . Alternatively write something that addresses the specific situation of your group .
“ You are all heroes . We know you sometimes risk your own lives in rescuing others and that you are all very brave women doing very important work to be proud of . It is through work like yours that the world moves forward . Little by little . It may seem hopeless at times , because the violence goes on and on , but it is through everyday effort that important goals are reached .
In 2011 the Nobel Peace Prize … was given to three women …. One is the president of Liberia , Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf . The other two are non-violence activists and traumaworkers like you : Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman . They dedicated the prize to all the women of the world struggling for peace , health , justice , education for all and equal rights for women and men . Gbowee spoke about her own fight and said : “ We were the conscience for those who had lost their conscience in their search for power and position . We used our destroyed bodies and our hurt feelings to confront all the injustice and terror in our land . And we knew that it was just through non-violence that we could make an end to the war . Because we saw that the use of violence pushed us and our beloved country deeper and deeper into pain , death and destruction .” In her speech , she also said that women she had met had explained to her that rape and abuse are the result of a bigger issue , that women are not present where decisions are made . Let us thank God for sisterhood and pray that He will support our work for these days we have together . Let the workshop inspire us all and give strength to keep on .”