GADA 2023 Annual Report

To build and consolidate our work in 2023, GADA made significant strides in its mission to combat SGBV, increase women’s political participation, and empower women and young people in Nigeria through its commitment to programme delivery and strategic partnerships. The Spotlight Initiative (SI) Project, and the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Project, which were at an advanced stage of implementation, provided the opportunity to further strengthen our effort to reduce SGBV in CRS and the South-South Region. GADA’s main approach has been to maintain and build strategic partnerships to advance advocacy and behaviour change communication. Our project activities have culminated not only in measurable outcomes but also enabled GADA to address issues of organizational growth and impact as a key player in the fight against SGBV. The successful conclusion of the SI Project in 2023, funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) marked a turning point for GADA. This five-year project, implemented across three LGAs of the State provided lessons, not only on preventing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), but also on how community-led interventions can impact the overall safety of communities. The success of the project in CRS bolstered GADA's reputation, leading to wider recognition by critical stakeholders. In 2023, the first year of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence (R-GBV) Project supported by the Ford Foundation, capitalized on our experience to implement comprehensive and impactful SGBV prevention strategies. Through the establishment of Community Crisis Management Teams (CCMTs) in 16 communities in 12 LGAs, and working closely with a wide range of partners, GADA expanded and intensified its campaign to reduce SGBV in communities, tertiary institutions, and among married couples. 02 By employing open exchange, skills strengthening and engaging traditional and religious leaders to develop and apply adaptive leadership skills in preventing SGBV, GADA initiated the process of building safer communities for women, girls and young people. GADA also used its leadership position to engage other Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) in peaceful demonstrations at UNICAL, over the well-publicized case of exploitation involving its staff. sexual Additionally, GADA engaged with other groups such as FIDA, to highlight the need for access to justice and systemic change in law enforcement as they relate to SGBV. This year, we made significant efforts to mitigate cases of SGBV through the empowerment of survivors, thus strengthening our prevention interventions. To ensure that behaviour change communication is widely embedded in systems and established practices, GADA two capacity-building programmes: the School of Traditional Marriage and Relationships (STMR) and the School of Volunteerism and Community Services (SVCS). Through STMR, GADA developed communication skills among younger and older traditional marriage facilitators and counsellors, providing them with the tools to promote social behaviour change. The SVCS trained and supported young graduates to enhance their skills in leadership and advocacy. They played a significant role in promoting behaviour change communication at the community level, equipping community leaders with necessary skills, and ensuring that community members have access to relevant information on SGBV. GADA's involvement in the WVL Project, supported by Global Affairs Canada and Action Aid Nigeria, was extended for a year in 2023. The project was able to solidify the role of GADA as an advocate for women's political empowerment. By leading several initiatives such as the 'Register and Vote Campaign’, GADA played a critical role in increasing the numbers of female voters in the 2023 general elections. Although it did not change significantly the numbers of women voted into elective offices, the WVL Project provided the platform for women to advocate for other women running for political offices. With respect to support for survivors of SGBV, through GADA’s partnership with Cuso International, vocational training and business management skills were provided to 15 female survivors enabling them to have a means of livelihood. GADA’s achievements in 2023, driven by strategic partnerships have enabled us to maintain our leadership role and to retain and secure new grants towards building and consolidating our mission to empower women, girls and young people. Looking ahead to 2024, GADA plans to expand its footprint in the South-South Region to allow our work to gain regional and national traction. The organization will continue to advocate for women’s representation in political structures, reduction of SGBV, and support the operations of the South-South SGBV Info Hub. Proposed projects, such as the ‘Obon Akama’ initiative which will address responsible fatherhood and support for teen mothers, and the Campus Square Initiative to address cases of gender and rights abuse in tertiary institutions will be implemented. GADA will also explore work on climate change, conflict resolution, and green economy.