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EGOT and NWTF guides stakeholders in Iko Esai forest community in developing homegrown byelaws that prohibit CEFM and SGBV

emergingenderplus October 25, 2024

The Emerging Genderplus Outreach Team (EGOT) and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) have successfully implemented a series of initiatives to combat Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) and Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the remote forest communities of Cross River State, Nigeria.

In Iko Esai, Akamkpa Local Government Area, EGOT facilitated a workshop on August 16, 2024, to guide community stakeholders in developing homegrown byelaws that prohibit child marriage, domestic violence, and gender-based discrimination. These byelaws aim to provide legal protection for women and girls, demonstrating a proactive approach to safeguarding their rights.

To raise awareness about gender equality and human rights, a sensitization workshop was held in Old Ekuri community on August 30, 2024. Young people learned about gender equality concepts, human rights principles, relevant laws and policies, and challenged harmful gender stereotypes.

To foster more effective solutions, EGOT organized an intergenerational dialogue session in New Ekuri community on September 1, 2024. This initiative brought together people from different age groups to discuss and share perspectives on CEFM and SGBV.

The successful implementation of these activities by EGOT and NWTF during the second phase of the Strengthening Women’s Voices, Institutions, Women’s Rights, and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Nigeria project is a significant step towards combating these harmful practices in remote forest communities. By combining legal interventions, awareness-raising, and intergenerational dialogue, EGOT and NWTF are working to create a safer and more equitable environment for women and girls.