With funding as Sub-Grantees of WOMEN ADVOCATE RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION CENTER (WARDC), and support from FORD FOUNDATION, the implementation of the project named Solidarity Accountability and Commitment To Ending Violence Against Women And Girls (SAC-VAWG) in 2022 and the second project named Build Community Level Accountability Mechanism And Enhance Collaboration Between Women Leaders And Traditional Institutions In Adddressing Gender Based Violence in 2023 culminated in the establishment of four COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAMS (CRTs) comprising of twenty women and men at Oko-Oba Community in Agege Local Government Area; Makoko Community in Mainland Local Government Area; Ilaje-Otumara Community in Yaba Local Council Development Authority and Obele-Oniwahala Community in Surulere Local Government Area to address the prevalence of Violence Against Women And Girls. The CRT system is replicated by 12 organisations in SouthWest Nigeria that are also sub-granteed of WARDC implementing the two projects.
Our funders, WOMEN ADVOCATE RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION CENTER (WARDC), with support from FORD FOUNDATION provided trainings for the twenty member CRTs, who are community-oriented, passionate and dedicated citizens, resident within the community, available to prevent and respond to GBV issues promptly.
They have undergone sensitization and education on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, which is a law/tool they utilise to prevent GBV within their communities. They distributed the VAPP Law, including Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials during the two projects period.
They are also educated to respond to GBV issues through trainings on referrals, case reporting and management as well as providing them with contacts of Sexual Assault Referral Centers within their jurisdiction.
CRT SUCCESS STORIES
- Curtailed GBV through effective reportage
- Equipped with knowledge on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2015
- Distribution of the VAPP Law, a tool they engaged to reduce GBV prevalence
- Strengthened Community leaders with knowledge about Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) issues and gender inequality
- Contributed to community behavioral change by the male gender
Makoko community CRT escalated and effected justice for a mother of three, Fortune Obhafuoso, in the hands of the Police Inspector, Samuel Ukpabio, whom she accused of forcefully taking her newborn, Joseph. The case has been charged to court and the Policeman dismissed. Newspaper clips of the case below.
https://punchng.com/how-lagos-policeman-ministry-paid-n185000-for-newborn-mother-demands-baby/
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/07/police-dismiss-officer-for-alleged-baby-theft/
Greenspring Community Response Team (CRT) leader on market sensitisation
PICTURE GALLERY
Pictures below depicts inaugural Community Response Teams (CRTs)training organised by Women Advocate Research And Documentation Center (WARDC) with support from Ford Foundation for all CRTs drawn from SouthWest Nigeria in 2022 under the Solidarity Accountability And Commitment To Ending Violence Against Women And Girls (SAC-VAWG) in SouthWest Nigeria Project
Group photograph of CRTs drawn from SouthWest Nigeria
PICTURE BELOW DEPICTS: DAY 1 – Dr. Abiola-Akiyode, Co-Founder and Executive Director of WARDC addressing the CRT members from SouthWest Nigeria
PICTURE BELOW DEPICTS: DAY 2 Ogun State CRT presentation
Picture below depicts Greenspring Development Initiative Executive Director sharing Lagos State CRT experiences
LAGOS TEAM AT OSHOGBO
Pictures of activities of CRT Ilaje-Otumara Community, Yaba Local Council Development Authority (LCDA)
Picture below depicts the 5 Member CRT
Picture below depicts Monthly Mentoring Meeting with the CRT
Picture below depicts Monthly Mentoring Meeting with the CRT
Picture below depicts presentation of the VAPP Law by a CRT Member to High Chief Festus Arowojolu, Baale, Village Head in his Palace
Picture below depicts School Outreach at Ijero Baptist Primary and Nursery School by the CRT
Picture below depicts School Outreach at Ijero Baptist Primary and Nursery School by the CRT
PICTURE BELOW DEPICTS CRT OBELE-ONIWAHALA COMMUNITY, SURULERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
PICTURES BELOW DEPICTS CRT OKO-OBA COMMUNITY, AGEGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA)
Picture below depicts Monthly Mentoring Meeting with CRT members
Picture below depicts presentation of IEC Materials to the Baale, High Chief Balogun in his Palace
Picture below depicts Comrade Funmi, the CRT leader speaking at the Palace
Picture below depicts Greenspring Development Initiative and CRT members in group photograph with the Baale High Cief Balogun in his Palace
