Project Status: Ongoing

Martawa Zuromaye

Participant during VAAP and CPL workshop in DTR

Project Focus Area

Social-Economic Development and Civic Engagement

Project Start Date

October 1, 2022

Project End Date

September 30, 2024

Total Project Budget

$62,092.17

Project Location

Damaturu and Yusufari LGA Yobe State

Name of Donor

Care International

Project Summary

To support the enhancement of survivor-centered efforts to prevent, mitigate, and respond to all forms of gender-based violence—especially EFM and FGM/C—CARE will lead comprehensive, coordinated efforts in targeted communities in conflict-affected Southern Niger and NE Nigeria. In Niger, local partners SOS FEVV and SONGES NGO will be supported to create and strengthen MMD groups— informal groups of women trained by CARE to safely discuss and organize around women’s rights issues—giving them tools to tackle GBV at the community level and collaborate with existing CSOs to both provide services to communities and advocate for societal change.

Key Outcome

Project Gallery

5/5

Nubwa Josiah Project Manager CARE

Through our collaborative efforts, we are witnessing a significant transformation in our local partners' capabilities. They are becoming better equipped to engage in Social Analysis and Action (SAA) and to offer the essential GBV services needed by survivors. This not only empowers our partners but also ensures that vulnerable individuals in our community receive the support they deserve.

5/5

Mallam Baba Com. Leader Yusufari LGA

Through our collective efforts, communities are becoming more empowered and vigilant in the fight against Gender-Based Violence. We are currently achieving this by conducting awareness sessions and engaging in SAA activities that not only raise awareness but also strengthen our ability to prevent and respond to GBV effectively.

5/5

Barr. Altine Chairperson Women-led. CSOs

I firmly believe in the power of supporting the establishment of a sub-regional network and cross-border social movement in Nigeria. Our collective mission is clear: to amplify women's voices and unite in our commitment to advocating for gender-based violence (GBV) solutions that prioritize survivors. Through this collaborative effort in all our programs/activities, we aim to drive positive change and make our advocacy efforts even stronger.

Executive Summary

In the conflict-ridden regions of Northeast Nigeria and Southern Niger, the pervasive impact of Boko Haram has posed formidable challenges for civil society organizations (CSOs) dedicated to combating gender-based violence (GBV). These CSOs are increasingly confronted with a growing number of GBV cases, encompassing early forced marriage (EFM), female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual assault. Financial constraints, a lack of awareness regarding pertinent laws and policies, and the use of outdated or ineffective service delivery methods further compound these challenges. Additionally, difficulties in coordinating efforts and engaging in joint advocacy initiatives hinder their collective effectiveness.

 

Nigeria, despite sharing a border and experiencing a common conflict, exhibits unique vulnerabilities in its respective GBV prevention and response frameworks. In Niger, the absence of a designated GBV sub-cluster and limited government support for GBV initiatives hinder the ability of organizations to advocate for policy changes. In Northeast Nigeria, where a sub-cluster is in place, individual organizations grapple with resource constraints and capacity limitations, impeding their overall effectiveness in GBV prevention and response.

 

To address these complex issues, the African Youths for Peace Development and Empowerment Foundation (AFRYDEV) is currently implementing the MARTAWA ZUROMAYE project, generously funded by USAID through CARE International. This two-year project, ‘Dignity and Security’ in Hausa, seeks to enhance a survivor-centered and community-based approach to GBV prevention and response, with a specific focus on the Yusufari Local Government Area (LGA) in Yobe State.

 

The MARTAWA ZUROMAYE project prioritizes behavioral change to discourage FGM/EFM practices and prevent gender-based violence. It adopts the Social Analysis and Action (SAA) model to comprehensively understand the experiences in conflict-affected communities where harmful practices like FGM/EFM prevail. The project’s ultimate aim is to harness social dialogue to transform societal norms and foster positive attitudes towards GBV.

 

Moreover, the project delves into social and moral norms, exploring their impact on children’s well-being and rights. It employs the adaptable Social Analysis and Action (SAA) tool to address negative societal norms, strengthen survivor-centered initiatives, and empower communities to combat GBV at the grassroots level. Ongoing collaborative efforts with protection committees and community-based organizations have formed a key part of the project, enabling the delivery of services to communities and advocacy for societal change through community awareness campaigns. This comprehensive approach endeavors to combat the prevalent harmful social norms within the community.

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