Background
Protracted armed conflict in northeast Nigeria has increased violence against women and girls and reduced survivors’ access to services. To support the enhancement of survivor-centered efforts to address the root causes of violence against women and girls (VAWG), especially early and forced marriages (EFM) and female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), CARE led comprehensive, coordinated efforts in targeted communities in the region. Using CARE’s innovative social change tools and community engagement processes, the Martawa Zuromaye (MZ) (‘Dignity and Security’ in the Kanuri language) project is a five-year project, funded by the Department of State, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI), United States Government.
The project addresses the root causes of VAWG through building individuals’ capacity to address VAWG, mobilizing community action to challenge negative norms that perpetuate violence, and working at the state level to strengthen and facilitate implementation of supportive legislations. The project works with two partners: Trauma Healing Support Initiative (THSI) and African Youth for Peace Development and Empowerment Foundation (AFRYDEV).
Intervention
The project adopted the ecological approach to address VAWG.
Individual level: The project trained adolescent girls and women on CARE’s Social Analysis and Action (SAA) approach, to support them understand the root causes of VAWG, be able to identify and reject VAWG, and strengthen their capacities to build networks and lead advocacy and change. The project also set up two Women and Girls’ safe spaces (WGSS) and several survivors of VAWG were supported through psychosocial counselling, case management and multisectoral referrals.
Community level: The project addressed negative social norms that perpetuate VAWG by establishing Protection Committees for community-based, survivor-centered prevention and response. VAWG protection committees are comprised of men and women from the community, who help to drive social change through community awareness raising and sensitization and directing survivors to services as appropriate and safe.
Systems level: To strengthen sustainability, maximize impact and promote local ownership, the project leveraged existing local partnerships in the target areas, strengthening the capacities of partners to prevent and respond to incidences of VAWG, particularly of FGM/C and EFM. Further, through intensive advocacy and collaboration with other local organizations and stakeholders, MZ worked with the Yobe state government to advocate for the passage of supportive legislations.
Program achievements
Participants that interacted with the Martawa Zuromaye project had various positive shifts, Attitudes and impact: