Save the Child Initiative (STCI), signed a sub-agreement with United Nation International Children Emergency Fund to implement the Spotlight Initiative Project in Sokoto North and Sokoto South LGAs of Sokoto State. The Spotlight Initiative is a Global partnership between the UN and the EU to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

The focus in Africa is on Eliminating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful practices (HPs), and addressing related aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHRs). The project has 6 pillars. However, under the project, Save the Child Initiative will be implementing Pillar 2 which is on Strengthening Institutions and Pillar 3 which is on Prevention and Social Norms. The following were achieved during the quarter under review:

  • Support and commitment of Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and security agencies gained for the successful implementation of the project in Sokoto North and Sokoto South LGAs of Sokoto state.
  • Knowledge of frontline workers strengthened on VAWG/GBV reporting mechanism in Sokoto North and Sokoto South LGAs of Sokoto state.
  • Capacity of Surveillance team and Case Workers strengthened to effectively address cases of VAWG/VAC in their respective LGAs.
  • Commitment of Religious and Traditional leaders gained to promote Healthy Gender Norms, promote Women participation and End VAWG/VAC/HP.
  • Capacity of network strengthened to engage community members to address the issue of VAWG/VAC.
  • Supportive Supervision to the ward level Step down training on the Stepping Stone Methodology in Sokoto North and South LGAs where 1680 community stakeholders were reached consisting of men and women
  • Supportive Supervisions to the meeting of Frontline Workers from Sokoto North and South, to strengthen their GBV reporting Mechanism.
  • Supportive Supervisions to the meeting of the Surveillance team to strengthen their capacity to effectively identify, report, refer and follow-up with cases of VAWG/VAC.
  • Forum with Survivors to counsel and build their confidence to report VAC.
  • Supportive Supervision to the meeting with Networks and structures from Sokoto North and South LGA. The number of participants present for the meeting were 98 (44 females and 53 males) for Sokoto North and 99 (41 females and 58 males) for Sokoto South, cut across the 100 Women Group, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Youth Groups, Religious and Traditional leaders.
  • Supportive Supervision to the meeting with Religious and Traditional Leaders in Sokoto South and North LGAs.
  • Supportive Supervision to the Town Hall meeting with networks and groups from Sokoto North and South LGAs, to sensitize and dialogue on the issues linked to Gender Norms and VAWG/VAC.

Supportive Supervisions to the meeting with Case Workers to strengthen their capacity to report data on monthly basis using the Mobile app. (Kobo collect/CPIMS)