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What We Do
Enhancing Citizens’ Participation, Improving Security Governance, and Strengthening Protection
The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) is a women-led, non-governmental organization dedicated to enhancing citizens’ participation, improving security governance, and strengthening protection systems across Nigeria and West Africa.
Integrity and Trust, Inclusion, Humility, Accountable collaboration, Courage of Conviction, Innovation
The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) is a women-led, non-governmental organization dedicated to enhancing citizens’ participation, improving security governance, and strengthening protection systems across Nigeria and West Africa. PWAN’s work recognizes that communities affected by insecurity, weak governance, and human rights violations require targeted interventions that safeguard lives, dignity, and access to justice. Our approach integrates humanitarian sensitivity, ensuring that reforms and security governance efforts address the needs of vulnerable populations.
Rule of Law
PWAN enhances institutional integrity and strengthens justice systems to safeguard society. Through collaborative advocacy, capacity building, and interagency coordination, PWAN ensures that criminal justice institutions operate transparently and accountably. This work reduces protection risks, improves access to remedies, and enhances the ability of institutions to prevent human rights violations affecting vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and conflict-affected populations.
Citizen Security
PWAN supports inclusive, transparent governance as the foundation of safe and resilient communities. Our work creates platforms where citizens—especially women, youth, and marginalized groups—can influence decisions that affect their safety. Through community dialogues, early-warning platforms, and election support, we help mitigate conflict risks and strengthen community resilience. These efforts reinforce protection outcomes in fragile and conflict-prone environments by ensuring that citizens are informed, included, and actively shaping security policies.
CSO Strengthening
PWAN builds the capacity and resilience of civil society organizations to operate effectively in shrinking civic spaces and crisis-affected settings. Strengthening CSOs enhances their ability to advocate for victims, deliver community-level support, and contribute to humanitarian and protection responses. PWAN’s interventions include leadership engagement across six geopolitical zones, capacity-building programmes, and support for organizational sustainability and self-regulation.