Zulu Anyaogu - On Life As A Women’s Rights Advocate
Interviewed by Munirah Yaqoub
As women, we are aware of how difficult it is to navigate this world. There are a lot of rules on what we should and shouldn’t do, where we should and shouldn’t go, how to speak, what to wear, how to “avoid” getting raped, how to avoid getting beat up, and the rules never fucking end. Being a woman anywhere is hard but, being a woman in Nigeria is particularly harder. This is because, while there is some sort of executed regulation in other saner countries, I can’t exactly say the same for this country. I mean, yes, there are laws and policies regulating violence against women in Nigeria but their execution is almost next to nothing, and no matter the surrounding circumstances of the case, there is always a Nigerian man somewhere, waiting to tell you what the woman could’ve done better to avoid the situation.
Reading reports of violence against women is one thing but, actually handling these cases is a whole different ball game. In this interview, I spoke to Zulu Anyaogu, a Programmes Associate at Partnership for Justice, about her life as a women’s rights advocate.
M: Hello Zulu, please tell us about yourself.
Z: Hi, my name is Zulu, and no, I’m not from South Africa. I’m a lawyer, a feminist, and a Christian. That’s it.
M: Okay, thank you for the introduction. What do you do?
Z: As I said earlier, I’m a lawyer and I’m currently a Programmes Associate at Partnership for Justice. Partnership for Justice is the founder and manager of Mirabel Centre, the first sexual assault centre in Nigeria. I do my programme management under the international law and public policy program. I develop programme ideas based on Nigerian legislation, international law, and international human rights policies. I research these policies, map out what obtains under them and possible improvements to them, and channel these policies into programmes that can benefit Nigerian women in terms of their sexual and reproductive rights, health rights, and human rights generally. I believe that men can also be feminists so, the programmes also include ways of bringing men into the fold of advocating for and supporting women’s rights.
M: Thank you so much. Could you give some examples of projects you’ve done so far?
Z: Well, there’s only so much I can say as some of the things we do are quite confidential. The first one hasn’t started yet so, I can only give very few details. It’s a national consultation for human rights defenders that work in the sexual and gender-based violence space. A human rights defender is anybody that defends human rights. We have a lot of human rights defenders in sexual and gender-based violence space who provide medical and legal support for survivors of SGBV, financial empowerment to survivors, and organize programs and projects that help survivors of SGBV. Due to the work that we do and how the Nigerian culture and legal system are, this project is focused on enlightening human rights defenders all over the country working in the SGBV space, on the most efficient mechanisms they can make use of to protect themselves, family and staff, when addressing SGBV. For instance, in Abuja, a foundation has some specific programs planned; our job is to consider the policies outlined and inform them of possible protocols or actions which would ensure their safety from both the government and upset private persons while carrying out their activities.
Another project I’m working on is the universal periodic review press. The United Nations has mechanisms in place to evaluate all countries in terms of human rights and what they’ve done so far following their obligations and duties under the relevant instruments; you can write a shadow report, be a part of the process and ensure that whatever Nigeria is doing reflects international best practices. Nigeria is going to have to prepare a progress report on the steps it has taken to implement the available human rights instruments at the time, as well as the actions it is yet to take, and our job is to look at progress reports on all spheres of human rights in Nigeria and how to make them more efficient.
M: Thank you so much for that. From what you’ve said, your work entails that Nigeria is on track with international best practices as is obtained under international human rights law, which is amazing. Thank you for all you do. My next question is, how did your journey as a women’s rights advocate begin?
Z: Growing up, I always looked up to Joe Okei Odumakin and Gani (Fawehinmi) and that influenced my reading Law and working in the Human Rights sphere. Then, in 2017, as a new year resolution, I said I was going to volunteer more so I signed up for Amnesty International, and also joined the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Lagos. In the same year, I interned at Partnership for Justice through an exchange program where members of the Clinic were sent to organisations to get first-hand experience in human rights work. This internship experience was what drew me to Partnership for Justice and I kept going back during holidays for more experience. I learned so much about sexual violence, sexual harassment, and SGBV in general and even became a member of the Amnesty International Youth Advisory Board.
M: Very interesting, thank you for sharing. Has there been a specific moment in your journey that has stayed with you?
Z: While our work is largely confidential given its sensitivity, I think moments I’ll never forget are the ones involving hearing the stories of survivors, who come from different walks of life and ages. We’ve had survivors such as a three-month-old baby, an eighty-year-old grandmother, and even young boys, and it reinforces the fact that it is never a matter of “what was the survivor wearing?”, “what was she doing there?”, “why couldn’t she have been more careful?”, abusers will always find an opportunity to abuse.
M: Wow, it must be tough having to listen to the stories first-hand. I can’t even imagine. My next question is, what is one thing you’d say you’ve learned so far in your journey?
Z: I’d say, I have learned to just start. If you have an idea or a dream, you don’t need to wait for the perfect opportunity; just start it. Right now! I remember in 2017, I was like work in the human rights space but I don’t know how to or where to start. The Amnesty International volunteer role opened up, and I applied and gave it my all, I also remember reaching out to my human rights lecturer and telling him that I wanted first-hand experience and he helped get me an internship, my first internship with SERAC, and here I am now. So, just do it.
Also, never be afraid to speak up for what you believe in. Speak about it with your friends, family, and everyone. You know that meme of the child hawker with a tray on her head, with the caption “me” on the child and “women’s rights” on the tray, that’s me. Always speak up for what you believe in.
M: Just do it and always speak up for what you believe in. Thank you so much. Will you say your work experience has influenced your friendship with your female friends?
Z: Yes, I would. I’m usually more cautious. I’m the friend who always takes extra precautions. I know how to spot when someone is moving funny near me or any of my friends. I always have to have a plan; what are we doing? Where are we going? How safe is it? As much as I am a go-with-the-flow-and-vibe person, my work has made me extra cautious of everything because you never can tell what could happen.
M: When you’re not working, what can we find you doing?
Z: Haha, when I’m not working, you’ll find me sleeping, please. I also like to watch movies, hang out with my friends, catching flights to take me to work. I happen to love airport lobbies a lot because you get to see and study a lot of people. Scenes from the airport are quite amazing. That’s it.
M: Haha, alright then. Thank you so much for your time. It was lovely speaking to you.
Z: Thank you for having me.