Center for Community Development flaunts one-year achievements

Center for Community Development Health and Family Enhancement Initiative (formerly known as Community Development Initiatives) has presented its one-year progress report of the Salvage Program.

Penpushing reports that the Chief Executive Officer of the centre Fidelis Igbodipe made the presentation at a press conference held at Ijebu Imusin E-Library, Catholic Mission Road, Ijebu Imusin, Ogun state

The centre boss explained that the Non -Governmental Organisation(NGO) has equally improved on Access to Safe Reproductive Health Services and fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Ogun State

Penpushing further reports that he disclosed that the initiative is supported by AMPLIFYCHANGE and designed to reduce Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), adding that over the past year, efforts have spanned Ijebu East, Abeokuta North, and Ogun Waterside local government areas

The Chief Executive Officer stated that this includes combined policy advocacy, civil society mobilization, media engagement, health system support, and community outreach to tackle the drivers of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV and unsafe reproductive practices.

‘The urgency of addressing SGBV cannot be overstated. Globally, 1 in 3 women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. In Nigeria, the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey reports that 33.4% of women aged 15–49 have experienced such violence’, he said.

‘In Ogun State, an estimated 15,000 domestic violence cases occur annually, in addition to 250,000 neighbor disputes and 15,000 family disputes. Yet, these numbers are believed to be much higher because most cases remain unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural barriers’, Igbodipe added.

Penpushing also reports that he explained that the SALVAGE Program was designed to address both the immediate needs of survivors and the systemic barriers that perpetuate violence, just as he identified key achievements over the last year.

The Chief Executive Officer stated that this includes community engagement and public awareness in Abeokuta North local government with, over 6,750 people participated in community outreaches and campaigns on reproductive rights and the STOP Guidelines.

Penpushing reports that he disclosed that in Ijebu Imusin Market, the centre reached 4,024 people (1,654 male and 2,373 female) with sensitization campaigns on SGBV and safe reproductive health.

The centre leader added that in Ogun Waterside local government the organization conducted a community outreach that reached over 150 people, creating awareness and stimulating dialogue on prevention of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

Penpushing further reports that Igbodipe disclosed that stakeholder forums were also held across the three local government areas, engaging traditional leaders, women, youth groups, and religious influencers.

‘25 CSOs trained on STOP Guidelines and survivor-centered responses. A coalition network of 16 CSOs was formed to unify statewide advocacy and referrals. Exchange visits to Oyo State enabled peer learning with like-minded organizations’, he added.

‘Advocacy visits were conducted with the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Minority Leader, and constituency representatives.  A policy brief was submitted to six Assembly members, advocating for reviews of laws related to SGBV and reproductive health’.

‘In partnership with two other organizations, we prepared a STOP Guidelines Review Document, highlighting findings, gaps, and recommendations, which will soon be presented formally to the Ogun State House of Assembly’, he said.

‘We also paid an advocacy visit to the Chairman of Ogun Waterside LGA and met with stakeholders in the area, securing their support for community-level activities. 32 medical practitioners and facility heads trained on survivor-centered care, trauma management, and Safe Termination Of Pregnancy (STOP) compliance’.

‘Referral forms printed and distributed for standardized documentation.  Referral facilities selected across six LGAs to provide accessible SGBV and SRHR services. 35 media practitioners and focal persons trained on ethical reporting of SGBV cases’.

‘IEC materials and radio jingles produced and disseminated to amplify awareness. Specialized workshops strengthened media engagement, survivor dignity, and smart advocacy skills. Over the last year, more than 100 cases of GBV were reported and taken up’.

‘10 cases referred to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Ijebu Ode. Several survivors referred to Human Rights organizations for legal aid and psychosocial support. Others resolved cases through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at family or community level. These outcomes show that the referral pathways are functional and increasingly trusted by survivors.’

Penpushing also reports that Igbodipe, however, pointed out that despite the progress, the program faced notable challenges which include slow legislative processes in reviewing and passing laws and deep cultural resistance and stigma, limiting open conversations in some communities.

The other challenges are reluctance among some medical practitioners due to religious and cultural beliefs, infrastructural and financial limitations in health facilities, media misinformation, though mitigated by ongoing training

Penpushing reports that Igbodipe on lesson learnt said it include media engagement early in the program cycle shapes public discourse and reduces stigma, coalition-building creates stronger advocacy platforms, evidence-based advocacy documents such as the STOP Guidelines Review build credibility with lawmakers, community engagement with gatekeepers (traditional, youth, and religious leaders) fosters acceptance and cultural change

The organization, equally provided way forward explaining that partnership is in the offing which aimed to focus on present the STOP Guidelines Review Document to the Ogun State House of Assembly and sustain advocacy.

‘Expand community campaigns to more LGAs, using culturally sensitive approaches. Enhance media collaboration with follow-up trainings and toolkits for ethical reporting. Strengthen referral systems by equipping health facilities and ensuring continuous training and Consolidate the CSO coalition into a formalized structure for collective advocacy and peer’

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