Final Evaluation: Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women in Cross River State (Nigeria)

Location: Nigeria 

Grantee: Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI)  

Grant period: 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2022 

Grant amount: USD 386,737 

Authors/editors: Arowolo Ayoola 

Publication year: 2023 

The Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) with the support of UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women implemented the three-year project “Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women in Cross River State” that aimed to ensure that the human rights and dignity of girls and women in Boki, Bekwara, Ogoja and Yala in Cross River State in Nigeria are respected. The main objective was to change communities' perceptions of harmful traditional beliefs, attitudes and practices that lead to FGM and violence against women and girls by: 

• gaining support from women, girls, boys and men in the target areas; and  
• improving the capacity of traditional leaders, law enforcement and legal agents, as well as women and human rights groups, to monitor, report and enforce women's rights.  

The final evaluation found that the project contributed to important behaviour change towards FGM and on other forms of violence against women and girls in the target communities. The project also fostered feminist movements in the communities. 

Main findings of the evaluation:  

• The project influenced behaviour change in relation to FGM and other forms of violence against women and girls in the target communities.  
• The percentage of women who reported experiencing unfair treatment due to their gender fell from 66% to 34% during the project.  
• Women and girls reported a substantial increase (16% to 91%) in knowledge and access to support services in cases of sexual and gender-based violence during the project. 
• The project laid the foundation for a sustainable feminist movement in the target communities.