Girls Power Initiative (GPI) Ends One-Day Stakeholders Shared Learning Forum In Calabar
Girls Power Initiative, GPI, has ended its one-day stakeholders shared learning meeting on the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement, SCALE project in Calabar, Cross River State.
The forum was designed for beneficiaries and stakeholders who were selected and trained on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, child early and forced marriage, gender equality and social inclusion, child protection, SGBV case management, documentation, monitoring, and evaluation amongst others.
The SCALE project, a USAID 5-year project implemented by Palladium, is aimed at enhancing local civil society organizations’ ability to be positive and responsible change agents in Nigeria.
Speaking on “Overview of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence/Child Ealy Forced Marriage in Cross River State” GPI Head of Program, Mrs. Ndodoye Bassey decried the dangers of GBV, female genital mutilation, early marriage, and other harmful practices going on in the State.
Ndodoye said religion, tradition, gender inequality, revenge, and distorted views of male and female relationships, among others, are contributory factors of violence against women and girls.
Earlier, GPI Calabar Coordinator, Mrs. Comfort Ikpeme intimated that identifying best practices, sharing stories drawn especially from the capacity strengthening, technical support provided through the project, and advancing cooperation between frontline SGBV and CEFM actors in target States is what all and sundry must gun for.
Talking about the overview of the project and implementation status she said the goal of SCALE is to improve public accountability as well as service delivery.
The interactive forum drew participants from the security, media, health, ministries, and agencies, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society organizations, among others.
The high points of the event include questions and answers, goodwill messages, drafting of communique, and group photograph.
Source: CrossRiverWatch