Pulse.ng : EWEI plans psycho-social, economic support for marginalised women, GBV survivors in Kaduna

An NGO, Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) says it will render psycho-social and economic support to marginalised women and survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Kaduna communities.

The NGO said it would also render mental support, counselling, and post-violence support to marginalised women and girls facing intersectional discrimination, physical violence, economic violence, and sexual exploitation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the support by EWEI, was under the Together We Can (TWC) Project, supported by the United Nations (UN) Trust Fund to end violence against women.

The project, which would work with men and boys as allies in combating the issues, has 60 women 30 each from Kujama and Kasuwan Magani communities in Southern Kaduna as primary beneficiaries.

Speaking to the women along side other critical stakeholders cutting across different facets of the society in Maraban Rido, on Friday in Kaduna, the TWC Project Director, Rachel Ogbonna, said conflict-related sexual violence was a harrowing aspect of crises.

She explained that it was marked by abduction and rape of women under captivity, therefore constituting severe human rights violations.

Ogbonna lamented that survivors of such ordeal endure stigma and shame compounded by societal norms.

“Women and girls, kidnapped, raped, or forced into marriage, suffer trauma.

”Survivors, even if released, face rejection, and babies born from such situations are discriminated against. The project seeks to address it through providing support to the survivors.

“Building on the successes of the Our Safe Spaces (OSS) project, our intervention targets women and girl survivors of violent and protracted conflicts in parts of Kaduna State.

“Recognising intersectional discrimination, the project addresses GBV exacerbated by socio-economic status, limited access to resources, education, and economic opportunities,”she said.

Speaking further, Ogbonna said through the TWC project, they would promote the GBV toll-free helpline for real-time response and support.

She added that the project would empower and advocate for victims through evidence-based approaches, engagement, and active involvement of decision-makers and influencers.

This, she said will be done in a participatory method, thereby allowing continuous monitoring and adaptation based on evolving needs.

“The project will establish a comprehensive mental health and psycho-social support system tailored to the specific needs of marginalised women and girls in the Kujama community of Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) and Kasuwan Magani community in Kajuru LGA.

“This will involve providing counselling, therapy, and trauma-informed care to address the psychological impact of violence and discrimination.

”Others are medical care, legal aid, and safe spaces for healing and recovery, economic empowerment opportunities, and support for income-generating activities, enabling survivors of GBV to regain agency and independence.

“This, will thereby empower marginalised women and girls to actively participate in decision-making processes and community life,"she said.

In engaging decision-makers, health providers, influencers, and the wider community, Ogbonna said the project seeks to drive policy changes and actions that address the root causes of violence against women and girls.

She said the women would be able to identify and respond to cases of violence and discrimination while also fostering a supportive environment for survivors.

This will contribute to the reduction of discrimination, unfair treatment, and vulnerability experienced by marginalised women and girls.

One of the women, Dorcas Garba, a resident of Kujama community, said the project was like their prayers were being answered by God.

She lamented that at their location, women were being molested and treated inhumanely.

“Women are the ones providing for our families in many homes, even at that, a little misunderstanding will trigger the men to beat us.

”It is sad, we sometimes don’t even know who to cry to that will wipe our tears,”she lamented.

Garba, therefore, thanked the NGO for the initiative, saying it would enable them to collaboratively fight the multidimensional issues they were facing in their communities and households.

Another woman, Marwanatu Abubakar, from Kasuwan Magani community, said she has gained knowledge especially regarding the issues surrounding rape and the need for peaceful coexistence.

She added that in the previous years, she never had the belief that she would live together in peace with other people of different faiths.

“During a religious violence that once happened in Kasuwan Magani, my husband was slaughtered, my house and all my belongings were burnt.

”But, with this initiative, I feel all is set to shine path for a better and progressive society,”she said.(NAN)