KWACReSAL Holds Workshop on Grievance Redress Mechanisms, Gender Based Violence for Staff, Stakeholders

In an effort to promote gender sensitivity and effective grievance handling mechanisms, the Kwara Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) has recently organised a five-day training of trainers capacity workshop on Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) for its staff and stakeholders across the 16 local government areas of the State.

The workshop, which was facilitated by the Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN) held at the Somewatt Fresh Hotels in Ilorin, the State Capital. The workshop was aimed to strengthening GRM and GBV reporting systems in Kwara State, particularly within the ACReSAL Project.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the  Commissioner of Environment and Chairman State Steering Committee for ACReSAL, Hajia Nafisat Musa-Buge, described the training as essential for the implementation of the World Bank-supported project, noting that the Bank prioritises gender sensitivity and inclusivity as well as peace and harmony in its projects.

She said Kwara under His Excellency,  Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is a model for gender sensitivity and inclusivity in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

“When we talk of gender sensitivity and inclusivity today, Kwara is never behind. I am proud to say that in the cabinet of His Excellency today, there are 11 women as commissioners and 11 men as commissioners. It is a 50-50 thing. For permanent secretaries, women are even more than men.

“So, if it is not 50-50, women are usually more than men. The 16 Local Government Chairmen we have today in Kwara, 15 of them are men while one is a woman. But for all the men, women are their vices. So, here in Kwara, gender inclusivity is commonplace,” the Commissioner said.

Hajia Buge stressed that everyone has a role to play in preventing and combating gender-based violence.“At the end of this training session, I believe every one of us will come out as a strong advocate in the fight against GBV in our communities”, she added.

Also in attendance were the co-Chairmen of the project, the Commissioners for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afees Abolore, and Water Resources, Hon. Usman Lade as well as members of the State Technical Committee of ACReSAL, the Kwara ACReSAL Focal NGOs and the State Project Management Unit.

In their separate remarks, the two Co-Chairmen commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his gender inclusion policy in Kwara State, emphasizing the need for collective action to prevent and combat the menace of gender-based violence in Nigeria as gender-based violence is a very sensitive issue.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of Kwara ACReSAL, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, said the commitment of the ACReSAL Project goes beyond environmental sustainability, as it also extends to building inclusive, safe, and accountable systems that protect the rights and dignity of every individual, especially the most vulnerable ones.

“This workshop is a critical step in equipping our trainers with the knowledge, tools and sensitivity required to cascade these values across our project communities,” the SPC said. According to him, the participants are not just participants but also champions of justice and equity.

“Together, we can build a Kwara where every voice counts and every person, regardless of gender or status, feels safe, respected and heard,” Aregbe concluded.

Several facilitators took the participants through various sessions. Some of the topics dissected at various sessions of the workshop included: Overview of Gender-Based Violence and its Impacts on the World Bank Assisted Project; Understanding the Legal Frameworks and Policies Related to GBV and PSEA in Nigeria; Introduction to Grievance Redress Mechanisms; Emotional Intelligence in Responding to GBV/GRM Incidences; Strategies for Raising Awareness and Advocacy on GBV and PSEA Issues on Project; and Engaging with Communities to Promote Gender Equality and Prevent GBV.

In her opening remarks at the workshop, the Lead Consultant, CENGAIN, Dr. Asmau Leo, said the training will equip participants with the technical knowledge of GBV and GRM and how to address issues arising from both projects.

She said the ACReSAL Project prioritises GBV and GRM issues, calling for full participation and engagement by the participants at the various sessions. She hailed Governor AbdulRazaq as a role model for gender inclusivity in Nigeria and across Africa. “I remember His Excellency was given an award as a He-for-She champion. So, I am not flattering the Governor, it's just the reality.

In her presentation, Dr. Leo emphasized that one of the  accountability mechanisms,  as a gender person, is the signing of the GBV code of conduct which will shape one's behaviour against committing gender-based offences.

She stressed that the reporting mechanisms and procedures for handling GBV/PSEA includes disclosure, help seeking, consent and information sharing among others, adding that the key principles are confidentiality, Non-discrimination, Do-No-Harm and others.

With the Lead Consultant are other facilitators; Dr. Talatu Bello, Mrs Fatima Maji, Dr. Ishaku Elisha and Dr.Kwaja Zeilani. Participants at the  workshop were equally taken through a practical session on data collection using a mobile application. Mr. Mayowa Ipinyomi of Maybeach Technology led the session, guiding participants on how to collect and process data effectively.

In his presentation, Mr Ipinyomi said the practical session was aimed at equipping trainers with the skills needed to collect data using mobile phones. He demonstrated the modes of data collection and processing, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience.

He added that the practical is expected to enhance the participants' ability to collect and process data accurately, ultimately contributing to more effective project implementation and decision-making.

Addressing the participants, the GRM Officer, Mr Abdulquadir Abdulquadri and the GBV Officer, Mrs Aina Eniola hinted that grievances and cases of violence in communities with the project interventions  should be promptly reported to the GBV/GRM desk through the use of the toll-free-line - 08031232221 from 8am-5pm daily.

As part of their training activities, the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) enumerators visited the Kwara State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital in Ilorin. The visit aimed to provide a practical learning experience for the enumerators.

During the visit, the Manager of the Centre, Mrs. Sulaiman Rahmot Bimpe welcomed the team from CENGAIN, which is facilitating the gender mapping exercise in collaboration with Kwara ACReSAL. The enumerators then engaged in an interactive session, posing interview questions to gain valuable insights into the centre’s operations which will help enhance their understanding and skills in addressing GBV issues.

The engaging and robust workshop initiative underscores ACReSAL's commitment to providing a supportive environment for its staff and stakeholders, promoting gender equality and preventing GBV.

The highpoint of the workshop was the participants signing the GBV Code of Conduct Forms and the presentation of certificates to the participants drawn from various local government areas of the State and the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of Kwara ACReSAL.

Okanlawon Taiwo 

KWACReSAL 

Communication Officer.

07030113331