STRENGTHENING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND LOCAL ENGAGEMENT

Our focus is aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations towards improving local engagements with key stakeholders within two component areas on countering trafficking in persons and providing effective prevention & response on issues of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Child Early Forced Marriage.

The project is implemented across six states namely Bauchi, FCT, Katsina, Delta, Osun, and Ebonyi State. Some of the activities implemented on this project include a Project Inception Meeting, mapping of 24 communities for project intervention, and NEEDS assessment for 30 Civil Society Organizations. Community Inception meetings were held in 24 communities, and the development of formative research on best practices in curbing SGBV &CEFM. Capacity Building workshop for Civil Society Organizations on SGBV & CEFM Prevention & Response Capacity Building workshop for Traditional & Faith Leaders as SGBV & CEFM advocates & Paralegals Capacity Building for Prosecutors & Judicial Officers on countering trafficking in persons Mentorship & Coaching Sessions for Civil Society Organisations & Traditional Leaders Legal & Psycho-social support for GBV Survivors Bi-annual Coordination Meeting on SGBV & CEFM Stakeholders.

Results/Outcomes of activities implemented: Strengthened capacity of 30 Civil Society Organisations in providing effective prevention and response mechanisms on Sexual & Gender-Based Violence, Child & Early Forced Marriage cases. Improved capacities of Traditional & Religious Leaders to institutionalize bye-laws and serve as advocates & paralegals on SGBV issues in 24 local communities across Nigeria. Strengthened capacity of Judges, Magistrates & Prosecutors in countering trafficking in persons. Project supported by USAID/ Palladium for a period of Five years in Bauchi, Katsina, Delta, FCT, Ebonyi, and Osun State.