Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF) says 2,100 girls and boys between ages 15 and 25 from Lagos, Ebonyi, and Benue States are engaged in Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) prevention, response, and referral pathway.
Its Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs Tayo Erinle, stated this on Monday at the close out of the first phase of the one-year Scale ENGAGE-Her Project in Abuja.
Erinle said the project was implemented under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) Nigeria funded by USAID and implemented by Palladium and the Tabitha Cumi Foundation.
“We have worked with 2,100 beneficiaries not just girls but also boys in Benue, Ebonyi, and Lagos States to help them have more awareness on how to prevent, respond, and refer to GBV.
“There have been tremendous achievements, the girls and boys in the safe spaces have become confident to speak out against GBV.
“They are also learning and teaching others about GBV, their parents, and community members and they help to report GBV and can support survivors to pursue justice, rather than leave them to their trauma.
“Also, girls and boys in this programme have had capacity built financially, training, and acquisition because many girls are vulnerable due to poverty but when they are empowered, it saves them from being abused,’’ she said.
She added that 75 safe spaces for girls and boys were established, 15 communities and 15 schools benefitted from the project across the states.
She, therefore, recommended the establishment of more safe spaces for survivors, sensitization, and engagement with stakeholders to end SGBV.
Chief of Party, Palladium, Lydia Odeh, said: “We started to support by providing services to victims and survivors of GBV for one year.
ALSO READ: AIDS agency charges stakeholders on meeting 2030 elimination target
“This event is to disseminate our results, learning, and challenges so that if we are going into a new phase of the project, we will bring in the challenges and disseminate to mobilize support against survivors.’’
The Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, commended the TCF for their impact in ending GBV and other harmful practices against women and girls in Lagos, Benue and Ebonyi.
“Your demonstrated dedication, compassion as well as tireless efforts in advancing the course of women’s empowerment has undauntedly made a lasting impact in the lives of so many, not just here but throughout the geopolitics of the country.
“The project under your exemplary leadership has created opportunities for women and engagement for a more inclusive and equitable society.
“Your accomplishment in this project is a testament to your unwavering dedication to the betterment of not just women’s lives, but national vision for renewed hope,’’ she said.
A beneficiary from Lagos, Awojodun Boluwatife, said: “I learned a lot about GBV and how to share the knowledge with others.
“Also, who to talk to talk and how to stop GBV and who to report and prevent it. It has been a success and has impacted in my own life.’’
NAN
