?? Case Study: Addressing TFGBV

This case study follows the journey of four individuals whose lives intertwine in complex ways, reflecting the influence of gender norms, social pressures, and personal backgrounds. Through a thoughtful intervention led by Sheikh Abu Ubeidah, a respected religious leader, we explore a pathway towards transformative strategies to tackle toxic forms of gender-based violence (TFGBV) and harmful stereotypes in their lives.

The Personas

1?? Muhammad (Mo): Mo, a 16-year-old male from a wealthy background, attends an elite international school and lives a life of luxury with access to high-end gadgets, cars, and funds. Mo’s lifestyle involves casual relationships, gaming leadership, and selective adherence to Islamic practices. His lifestyle is encouraged by his mother, Hamida, who supports him without imposing boundaries, giving him a sense of entitlement and the freedom to indulge.

2?? Kajamaa: At 20, Kajamaa comes from a disadvantaged background. Dropping out of school after eighth grade, he’s recently been released from prison after serving time for sexual offences. Kajamaa’s family history is marked by toxicity and divorce, which has shaped his perspective on relationships. He’s a boda boda rider without a stable income, fathering 5 children with 5 different teenage mothers. Engages in online sports betting as an outlet for financial and social pressures.

3?? Sheikh Abu Ubeidah: Sheikh Abu Ubeidah, 50, is the imam of a prominent mosque known for its community services. A well-educated adherent Muslim and a digital-savvy thought leader, he is respected by both Muslims and non-Muslims. His upbringing was deeply rooted in Islamic values, and graduated from The Islamic University of Madina. He holds a Masters degree in ICT with several certifications in Cyber Security, which give him a strong foundation to bridge religious, contemporary, cultural and digital divides.

4?? Hamida (Mo’s Mother): Hamida is a 40-year-old senior banker, recently divorced and from a wealthy background. Though she’s of Muslim faith, her adherence is loose. She lives a modern, cosmopolitan lifestyle, focusing on her career, social life, and extensive travels. Protective and indulgent with Mo, she ensures he has the best of everything, inadvertently reinforcing his sense of entitlement and disconnect from values that would encourage responsibility and self-control.

Challenges and Underlying TFGBV Tendencies

Each persona’s life reflects issues that contribute to TFGBV in different ways:

• Mo’s Lifestyle and Entitlement Mo’s indulgent lifestyle and relationships lack the guidance that would help him understand boundaries and respect within relationships. The lack of accountability and easy access to luxury without boundaries foster a sense of privilege, reinforcing harmful gender attitudes.
• Kajamaa’s Trauma and Misdirected Masculinity Having grown up in a toxic environment, Kajamaa developed misguided notions of masculinity and relationships, compounded by limited education and social pressures. His life is marked by unresolved trauma, leading to irresponsible sexual behaviour and cycles of violence with women.
• Hamida’s Role in Mo’s Upbringing Hamida’s permissive parenting style, while well-intentioned, inadvertently exposes Mo to unbridled entitlement. Without a balanced approach to discipline and nurturing values, Mo lacks the foundation to understand consequences, empathy, or the importance of responsible masculinity.

Interventions: Sheikh Abu Ubeidah’s Role

Sheikh Abu Ubeidah’s conservative background and respected position within the community make him a fitting mentor to address these dynamics. His strategy would involve tailored interventions for each persona, addressing TFGBV tendencies and the social norms that fuel them.

1?? Mentorship for Mo

?? Strategy: Building Boundaries and Ethical Awareness

• Engagement: Sheikh Abu Ubeidah could start by inviting Mo to the mosque’s youth programmes or online lectures, making the experience engaging by tying in themes from Mo’s interests, such as gaming, while subtly introducing values on ethical behaviour, respect, and self-discipline.
• Educational Sessions on Gender and Relationships: By creating youth-focused programmes that discuss responsible masculinity, Sheikh Abu Ubeidah can expose Mo to Islamic and ethical perspectives on relationships, teaching him the importance of respect, responsibility, and boundaries.
• Parental Involvement: Encouraging Hamida to join a support network for parents would help her see the benefits of nurturing discipline, self-awareness, and respect for others in Mo’s life.

2?? Rehabilitation Path for Kajamaa

?? Strategy: Creating a Support System for Healing and Accountability

• Counselling and Trauma Support: Sheikh Abu Ubeidah could guide Kajamaa to counselling sessions focused on unpacking trauma and the impact of his past. Support groups within the Islamic Centre could foster community and accountability.
• Skills and Livelihood Training: By providing Kajamaa access to programmes for upskilling (such as small business or trades training) Sheikh Abu Ubeidah would help him redirect his energy toward constructive pursuits, allowing him to escape toxic cycles.
• Gender Sensitisation Workshops: Educating Kajamaa on gender equity, respect, and responsible fatherhood would help reshape his understanding of relationships, encouraging him to build healthier connections with his children and their mothers.

3?? Guidance for Hamida on Responsible Parenting

?? Strategy: A Balanced Approach to Parenting and Values

• Parenting Workshops: Hamida could benefit from workshops on nurturing accountability and balance in parenting. Sheikh Abu Ubeidah could recommend sessions focused on providing support, fostering independence, and instilling ethics.
• Community Building with Other Parents: Bringing Hamida into a network of parents who focus on values-based upbringing could help her see the value in fostering responsibility in Mo’s life.
• Understanding Islam’s Values in Modern Context: For Hamida, hearing perspectives on how Islamic values can co-exist with her professional and social life might help her incorporate these values into Mo’s upbringing in a balanced, respectful manner.

Expected Outcomes and TFGBV Impact

By addressing the underlying issues in each persona’s life, this intervention aims to build a solid foundation for personal growth, empathy, and a more respectful understanding of gender roles and relationships.

• Mo learns the importance of respect, boundaries, and self-discipline, recognising that privilege comes with responsibility.
• Kajamaa gains access to supportive community resources, encouraging him to redefine his sense of masculinity in a healthy way.
• Hamida develops a balanced approach to parenting, understanding that love and accountability can coexist and are essential for Mo’s development.

Conclusion: Sheikh Abu Ubeidah’s thoughtful, values-driven approach highlights the role community leaders play in addressing TFGBV through mentorship, education, and community engagement. By fostering understanding, responsibility, and empathy, his intervention provides a pathway for each persona to grow, ultimately challenging and reducing TFGBV tendencies within the community.

This approach underscores that meaningful change against TFGBV requires an understanding of individual challenges, support systems, and strategies that foster respect, empathy, and community accountability.

#TFGBV #CommunityIntervention #EmpathyInAction #MentorshipMatters #RedefiningMasculinity #PositiveParenting

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