OUR Projects

Our Recent Projects

TRAINING ON TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED SEXUAL & GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (SGBV) FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN EBONYI STATE

Currently, in Nigeria, there is a high incidence of cyberbullying among minors. According to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics, around 15% of students between the ages of 12 and 18 experienced cyberbullying in 2019. A recent survey by Kaspersky has revealed that in Nigeria, cyberbullying has already caused 49 percent decrease in social activity or social isolation, 47 percent decrease in self-esteem, 36 percent negative impact on a child’s performance at school, 34 percent depression, 19 percent ongoing stress and 16 percent insomnia on children.

It was against this backdrop that Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) with support from the Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF), organized a one-day training on Technology Facilitated SGBV for 40 young people in Ebonyi State on February 29, 2024 at Abakaliki, Abakalili High School (PRESCO).

The objectives of the training were to: raise awareness on Technology facilitated sexual and Gender-based violence among young people in Ebonyi State; empower young people in Ebonyi State with knowledge and skills to effectively recognize and respond to technology-facilitated SGBV and to empower young people with knowledge and skills to be advocates and champions to prevent technology facilitated SGBV among their peers in Ebonyi State.

The training session was very interactive and engaging featuring presentation, role plays, experience sharing and general discussion.  Issues addressed focused on: the meaning of technology-facilitated SGBV, forms of technology-facilitated SGBV, common social platforms where it is prominent, consequences and impact of technology-facilitated SGBV and ways young people can protect themselves and their peers from the challenge.

The participating schools in this initiative were: Annunciation Secondary School, Kpirikpiri Abakaliki, Almond Montessori International School, Abakaliki, Abakalili High School (PRESCO), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Holy Child International Academy, Abakaliki, Beloved Anthonia Secondary School, Abakaliki, Model Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Uguwachara, Abakalili, Divine Light Academy, Abakaliki.

Recognizing the importance of strengthening the on-going partnership with Ebonyi State GBV Task Force, WRAHP engaged Faithvin Nwancho, Coordinator GBV Taskforce, Ministry of Justice, Ebonyi State as the Lead Facilitator for the training.

The young persons were quite enthusiastic about the training and felt very fulfilled about their participation. They expressed their commitments towards organizing step down sessions to share the experiences of what they have learnt with their peers in schools using various platforms such as; JET Club, Press Club, Drama and Debating Clubs.

Key recommendations going forward included: the need to replicate such trainings to involve more schools in Ebonyi State and beyond; production and dissemination of more fact sheets on technology facilitated SGBV; establishment and strengthening of anti SGBV clubs in secondary and tertiary institutions; raising of young Champions/Ambassadors against SGBV, increased support for intervention programs addressing technology facilitated SGBV with young people.

IMPROVING GENDER EQUALITY AND PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN LAGOS STATE THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING, AWARENESS-RAISING, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) with funding support from the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) embarked on a transformative project aimed at improving gender equality and providing crucial support to SGBV survivors in Lagos State. As we reflect on the past six months, we are proud to share the successes and impactful activities that have unfolded.

Project Overview:

Project Name: Improving Gender Equality and Protection from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for Women and Girls in Lagos State through Capacity Building, Awareness-Raising, and Psychosocial Support Services

Thematic Priority: Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls

Project Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Project Activities: Our project was multi-faceted, addressing various aspects of SGBV prevention and response. We conducted extensive training sessions, and community awareness programs, and engaged stakeholders at different levels. Here are some highlights:

  1. Conducted training sessions for SGBV advocates from different communities, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge.
  2. Raised awareness through community-level sessions, reaching over a thousand individuals.
  3. Provided survivor-centred case management and support services for over 500 SGBV survivors.
  4. Organized capacity-building sessions for law enforcement officers and key stakeholders.
  5. Facilitated media sensitization meetings to enhance effective reporting and documentation of SGBV cases.
  6. Distributed informative materials and participated in international forums to share experiences and advocate for gender equality.
  • Project Results:

  1. Trained over 100 SGBV community ambassadors, enhancing their capacity to respond to emergencies and conduct awareness sessions.

  1. 100 SGBV Community Ambassadors and Champions (women, men, and young people) in Alimosho, LGA, Lagos State, have increased their capacity to respond to emergency SGBV cases, make referrals, and implement community-level awareness sessions on SGBV with their respective constituencies.
  2. 1092 community members (women, men, boys and girls) in 6 communities in Alimosho LGA have increased knowledge and awareness of the ills of SGBV and acquired the skills to promote its abandonment
  3. Increased access to psychosocial support services for SGBV survivors involving counselling, glow up/safe space sessions for 153 survivors, facilitating access to justice services through rescue support for 17 survivors, arrest for 20 perpetrators, court filling for 7 cases, 4 Court watching brief, and 6 community legal clinic sessions for 338 community members. Generally, these psychosocial support services contributed immensely to enhancing self-esteem, rebuilding lives and restoring hope for SGBV survivors.
  4. Distributed informative materials, contributing to a better understanding of existing laws and policies.
  5. Enhanced reporting and documentation of SGBV cases by engaging with 30 media organizations.
  6. Received commitment from 63 traditional rulers and key influencers to sustain SGBV prevention efforts.
  7. Engaged 32 law enforcement agencies to improve enforcement mechanisms and ensure justice for survivors.
  8. Actively participated in international forums advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment, such as at the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), New York, USA

 

Lessons Learned: Throughout this journey, we have gathered invaluable insights that will guide our future endeavours:

  1. Community engagement is effective in preventing SGBV and promoting women’s rights.
  2. Training advocates and partnering with the media are vital for effective reporting and documentation.
  3. Survivor-centred support services play a crucial role in addressing trauma and rebuilding lives.
  4. Male participation is essential in SGBV prevention and response efforts.
  5. Grassroots women and girls are eager to play an active role in addressing violence and rights violations.

We extend our gratitude to the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives for their unwavering support throughout this project. Together, we have made significant strides towards gender equality and the protection of women and girls from SGBV.

We have publicly recognized Canada’s contribution through various channels, including online platforms and media engagements. Our efforts have garnered positive reactions and increased awareness about our project and its impact.

Looking Ahead: As we celebrate the successes of this project, we remain committed to our mission of promoting gender equality and protecting women and girls from SGBV. With continued support and collaboration, we are confident that we can create a safer and more equitable world for all.