Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children

At WRC over the last quarter, we focused on providing comprehensive support, fostering empowerment, and promoting community engagement to create safer and more inclusive environments for women and girls.

Counseling and Support Services:

A core component of our services involved delivering holistic counseling and referral services to women facing various challenges. A total of 14 women received tailored support, including legal advice, vocational training opportunities, and health services. To bolster their well-being and educational pursuits, the project distributed bicycles, food packages, hygiene supplies, and school materials. Additionally, the project opened seven new cases addressing family-related issues, emphasizing an integrated approach to supporting women within their familial contexts.

Women’s Empowerment and Awareness:

The project organized four gender justice awareness sessions attended by 19 women. These sessions aimed to enhance understanding of individual strengths, resilience, and effective problem-solving techniques. Participants reported increased confidence, emotional resilience, and observed positive changes within their families. To extend awareness beyond individual beneficiaries, the project facilitated community dialogues through Parent Support Groups and Men’s Coffee Talks, engaging over 150 community members. These forums addressed issues such as gender roles, gender-based violence (GBV), and the promotion of healthy masculinity. Additionally, 17 parents were trained as Parent Ambassadors to lead child protection and family awareness activities, further strengthening community-led initiatives. Child protection sessions reached 229 community members, significantly improving their knowledge on identifying and reporting violence, with particular attention to children with disabilities.

Community Engagement and Advocacy:

Community mobilization was a vital element of the project’s strategy. Parent Ambassadors actively promoted child safety and protection, resulting in a substantial increase in community knowledge (from 45% to 85%) regarding the identification and response to violence. The project also fostered community leadership and secured greater support from local authorities for gender justice initiatives, contributing to sustainable change.

Key Lessons Learned:

The project demonstrated that integrated, client-centered approaches combined with active community engagement are highly effective in advancing women’s rights and reducing violence. Building local leadership capacity and engaging men and boys are essential for creating supportive family and community environments. Utilizing multiple channels, such as face-to-face meetings, digital platforms, and community gatherings, enhances the reach and impact of awareness activities. Moreover, strengthening referral pathways and collaborating with local authorities are critical for ensuring the sustainability of intervention efforts.