Final Evaluation: Improved action to end violence against women and girls in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Nigeria

Author(s)/editor(s)

Gabriel Odunayo Adedara and Adejoju Omodolapo, Adgab Development Company with Elior Gabdol Limited

Women United for Economic Empowerment, with support from the UN Trust Fund, implemented the project “Improved action to end violence against women and girls in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Nigeria” from June 2021 to May 2024. The project’s main objectives were to increase support and commitment from local stakeholders and communities to end sexual and gender-based violence; and improve the capacity and coordination of service providers and enhance livelihood opportunities for vulnerable women and girls, especially those living with HIV/AIDS.

The project:

provided trauma healing services to 300 survivors of gender-based violence;
provided 300 women and girls with livelihood training and micro-saving opportunities through Village Saving Loan Associations;
trained 30 trained community-based gender champions;
established community action committees;
ran relevant training sessions for police, judiciary and media personnel; and
established referral networks for psychosocial, health and legal support, and set up a dedicated helpline for immediate assistance and online booking platforms for counselling services.

The final evaluation found that the project’s objectives were efficiently achieved despite challenges in Nigeria during the project.

Main findings of the evaluation:

The project demonstrated the power of community-driven solutions and economic empowerment of women in preventing sexual and gender-based violence, serving as a model for future efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls on a sustainable basis.
The project reached 2,494 women and girls, including 202 living with HIV/AIDS and 300 survivors of violence.
92% of surveyed beneficiaries reported that the project contributed substantially to ending violence against women and girls in their communities.
80% of both men and women in beneficiary communities now hold more tolerant views on gender equality and condemn sexual and gender-based violence, a significant increase from the 21% reported at the start of the project.
195 of the 300 women and girl survivors who received livelihood training had accessed funds or loans to start small businesses.