SYNOPSIS
Nigeria faces ongoing security challenges, with efforts focused on stability, justice, and gender equality. With a population of 200 million, nearly half of whom are women, Nigeria has the potential to drive change in justice access and development. Women’s roles in sustainable change are increasingly recognized, but gender inequality remains a major barrier. Nigeria ranks among the lowest globally for gender equality, with limited agency, voice, and economic empowerment for women. Violence against women is a persistent issue, worsened by cultural and societal norms. While debates continue over adopting the VAPP Act, reports indicate high rates of sexual violence. Between January and May 2021, 717 rape cases were reported by police, and in 2020 alone, the National Human Rights Commission recorded 11,200 cases. Sexual Assault Referral Centres documented 17,664 clients between 2017 and 2020. However, many cases go unreported due to low conviction rates, raising concerns about public trust in the justice system.
This project seeks to implement the project, ‘Promoting community engagement, access to justice and protection for marginalized populations’ in response to the CSSF ‘call’ specific to increasing access to justice, promoting the meaningful participation of women and other excluded groups, and responding to increasing levels of sexual and gender-based violence in northwest Nigeria.
The activities will be implemented across four Outputs over a period of 18 months which contribute to achieving the two Outcomes as follows:
- Dialogue and engagement mechanisms strengthened at national, state, and community levels to address human rights abuses against marginalized populations.
- Establishing Mixed Observer Teams (MOT) as an engagement model
- Leveraging MOTs and strengthening women-led CSOs/CBOs in Northwest Nigeria
- Promoting sustainability of PDSS, legal services, and MOTs
- Improved access to justice and community mobilization for better safety and protection of women in Northwest Nigeria.
- Expansion of pro-bono service provision
- Leveraging MOTs and strengthening women-led CSOs/CBOs in Northwest Nigeria
- Promoting sustainability of PDSS, legal services, and MOTs
Activities to Be Implemented.
Output 1 – Establishment of Mixed Observer Teams (MOT) as an engagement model
Activity 1.1 Validation workshop on the MOT guidance framework for Northwest Nigeria
Activity1.2 Capacity building for MOT members and leaders
Activity 1.3 Monthly coordination meetings in Kaduna and Niger State
Output 2 – Leveraging MOTs and strengthening women-led CSOs/CBOs in Northwest Nigeria
Activity 2.1 Capacity Building for women-led CSOs/CBOs in Northwest Nigeria
Activity 2.2 Organizational development and mentoring for women-led CSOs/CBOs
Output 3 – Expansion of Pro-bono service provision
3.1 Lawyer recruitment, training and engagement across Kaduna and Niger States
3.2 Sensitisation activities through media channels for both target States
3.3 Awareness and Launch of Legal Clinics in Kaduna and Niger States
3.4 Quarterly Legal Clinics conducted in Kaduna and Niger States
3.5 Expansion of pro-Bono service provision
Output 4 – Promoting Sustainability for PDSS, legal services, and MOTs
Activity 4.0 Advocacy Visit to Key Stakeholder
Activity 4.1 Bi-Annual Stakeholders Coordination Meeting
Activity 4.2 ACJMC Meetings –
Activity 4.3 Sub-grant Activity
