The intervention “women peace building initiative” is a one (1) year project implemented by Global Peace Development (GPD) and Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) with funding support from EU/British Council.
The project was targeted at women and girls in Yola North, Mubi North, and Mubi South LGAs of Adamawa State from June 2019 to July 2020 purposely to support coordinated engagement of and dialogue with communities on mitigating the impact of violence against women and girls and ending political and cultural impunity that undermine security of women and girls.
Specifically, the project strengthened the capacity and skills of 15 inclusively selected Women Associations across six communities of the target LGAs through trainings and disbursement of sub-grants to deliver sexual and gender based violence intervention in their respective communities utilizing community theatre, road shows, cultural dance in shaping community knowledge and resilience to violent conflict.
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Presentation of Grant to Beneficiaries During the Granting Workshop in Yola -
Participants during Early Warning and Early Response Training for Community Action and Response Committee (CARC) in Yola
Amazingly, the intervention influenced changes in behavior and attitudes toward exclusion of women and girls through pronouncement by Community leaders (Hakimi’s, and Village Heads), that changed the behavior and attitude toward sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) which culminated in the establishment of Community Actions and Response Team (CART) in Jambutu, Gella, and Gude communities of Yola North, and Mubi South LGA respectively.
Equally, GPD established safe spaces in communities and schools to increase participation of women and girls in peace building, decision making, gender equality commitment and security processes at all levels of engagement.
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Community Theatre Facilitated by Tallafi Women Association in Jambutu Community, Mubi North LGA, Adamawa State -
Participants during Unity Walk facilitated by Anguwan Jauro Women Association in Jambutu Community, Mubi North LGA, Adamawa State
Significantly, an assessment carried out as part of the project final evaluation revealed that the project was effective in increasing local-level social cohesion, and addressing issues affecting women. The evaluation report demonstrated clearly that the project helped enhanced the voice and visibility of women; raised awareness about sexual and gender-based violence which contributed greatly in breaking the culture of silence; engaged communities to take actions against drug abuse among youth; and encouraged the enrolment of female children in schools to access formal education.
