Building Resilience, Leave No one behind

CONCEPT NOTE

Activity Title: Enhancing well-being of women and girls through GBV risk mitigation efforts in
Humanitarian Response.
Date: April - May 2025
Location: Jere LGA, Borno State

Background: The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Northeast Nigeria has disproportionately affected women and girls,
particularly those living with disabilities. Prolonged conflict, displacement, and systemic inequalities have exacerbated
their exposure to gender-based violence (GBV), limited their access to essential services, and compromised their overall
well-being. In response, Future Resilience and Development Foundation (FRAD), with funding support from the UN
OCHA under the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), is collaborating with Cedar Foundation for Disability and the Center
for Child Care and Human Development (C3HD) to implement a 12-month multi-sectoral intervention. This initiative is
being carried out in Borno and Yobe States, with specific activities focused in Jere Local Government Area (LGA), Borno
State.

The intervention seeks to address the structural and cultural barriers that limit the protection, inclusion, and empowerment
of women, girls, and other persons with disabilities (PWDs) in humanitarian response frameworks. Key issues identified
include inadequate data on the needs of PWDs, harmful traditional norms that restrict gender inclusion, gaps in education
and economic opportunities, and the limited institutional capacity of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to
influence humanitarian policy and practice.

This project adopts a holistic and inclusive approach to GBV risk mitigation by integrating psychosocial support, economic
empowerment, and awareness-raising activities. It aims to improve the well-being and dignity of women and girls through
skills training, distribution of dignity and start-up kits, and community engagement. Importantly, the project actively
involves men and boys to challenge toxic masculinity and encourage them to take positive roles in GBV prevention and
gender equality advocacy.

By equipping participants with market-relevant vocational skills, promoting community responsibility through stakeholder
education, and fostering behavioral change among community members, this project will not only support GBV survivors
but also build community resilience. The approach emphasizes sustainability through partnerships with local businesses,
integration of business development components, and targeted advocacy efforts, ensuring that vulnerable populations are
not left behind in humanitarian interventions. Ultimately, the project strives to create safer, more inclusive, and more
equitable communities for women, girls, and PWDs in Borno and Yobe States.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT:

To enhance the well-being of women and girls through GBV risk mitigation efforts in Humanitarian
Response.

Specific Objectives:
1. To provide Vocational Skill to empower Women and Girls in mitigating GBV Risks.
2. To support the well-being and dignity of women and girls.

ACTIVITIES
1. Engage men and boys in dialogue programs: Facilitate discussions that challenge toxic masculinity and
promote their positive roles in preventing GBV, encouraging them to become allies in gender equality
2. Educate community stakeholders on how to safely intervene and prevent potential GBV incidents,
fostering a collective responsibility for safety.
3. Distribution of START-UP Kits and Dignity Kits

JUSTIFICATION:
Training community stakeholders enhances collective responsibility and equips individuals with the tools
to prevent and respond to GBV. Programs that build capacity to mitigate GBV risks have been effective in
increasing resilience and promoting safer communities. These is a more sustainable approach in GBV
response
Empowering women and girls through vocational training enhances their economic independence, which
can reduce their vulnerability to GBV. Economic empowerment provides alternatives to exploitative
situations and fosters self-confidence, contributing to safer environments thereby restoring dignity and
promoting societal respect.

Providing dignity kits addresses immediate needs and fosters a sense of security and respect and can
enhance self-esteem.
.
METHODOLOGY/APPROACH:
The project aims to harvest meaningful inputs and feedbacks that will improve GBV Management in
some thematic areas in humanitarian setting. These activities are as follows;

i. Foundational activities which are preparatory operations and guiding the strategic direction
of the participants activities.

Participant Selection Criteria: Women and girls in GBV shelters or protection programs,Women
experiencing displacement, crisis, or emergencies,Those without access to menstrual hygiene products
and Individuals with mobility impairments or conditions that make it difficult to access hygiene products.

Needs Assessment: Conduct surveys and Focus Group Discussions to identify marketable skills that align
with participants' interests and local economic opportunities.

Curriculum Development: Design training programs in collaboration with local businesses and
vocational experts to ensure relevance and sustainability.

Training Delivery: Offer hands-on workshops in areas such as tailoring, cosmetology, or handicrafts,
incorporating business skills and financial literacy.

Partnership with Local Businesses: Collaborate with local enterprises to provide vocational training and
employment opportunities, enhancing economic independence and social integration.

ii. Influencing Activities that widely target communication/knowledge management sharing and
target capacity development activities.

Community Awareness Campaigns: Conduct workshops and dialogue sessions to educate the community
(after a stakeholder mapping) on the importance of supporting women and girls well-being and rights.

ii. Distribution of Dignity Kits:

Provide essential hygiene items to girls, ensuring they have the means to maintain personal hygiene with
dignity, especially during menstruation.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS

Increased Awareness: Higher levels of understanding among men and boys regarding GBV and gender
equality issues.

Behavioral Changes: Observable changes in attitudes and behaviors towards women and girls, including
reduced tolerance for GBV.

Community Impact: Reduction in GBV incidents and improved community safety as reported by local
authorities and community members.

Participation Rates: Number of women and girls enrolling and completing vocational training programs
will increase as result of the success and completion of the 25 and subsequent Mentorship program from
the 25

Percentage Reduction in GBV Incidents: Documented decrease in GBV cases within the community,
attributed to increased economic independence.
Community Perception: Positive shifts in community attitudes towards women and girls' roles and
rights, measured through surveys.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
learning outcomes aim to foster a comprehensive understanding of GBV prevention and response,
emphasizing the importance of economic empowerment, community engagement, and supportive
environments in mitigating GBV risks and promoting the well-being of women and girls.

Promoting Positive Male Roles:Initiatives encourage men and boys to embrace respectful, non-violent
behaviors and advocate for gender equality

Implementing Safe Intervention Strategies: Participants will learn methods to safely intervene in
potential GBV situations, promoting community safety.

Understanding GBV Risk Mitigation: Participants will learn how economic empowerment can serve as
a strategy for mitigating GBV risks

Entrepreneurship Development: Training will equip women and girls with the knowledge to start and
manage small businesses, fostering self-reliance.

Supporting Economic Independence: Provision of start-up kits facilitates income-generating activities,

contributing to financial autonomy and reduced GBV risk.

Ensuring Personal Dignity: Dignity kits provide essential hygiene items, helping women and girls
maintain personal hygiene and dignity, especially during menstruation.

LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS:
The following stakeholders have been identified;
i. Ministry of Women Affairs and social Development
ii. Ministry of Justice
iii. Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities
v. GBV Sector
vii. National Human Right Commission
viii Jere LGA Authority

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES: 250 Beneficiaries

Activity 1 & 2 - 200 Beneficiaries
Activity 3 - 50 Beneficiaries (No. of Women - 25 No. of Girls -25)

EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Strengthened GBV Prevention Mechanisms: Communities will demonstrate enhanced capacity to

recognize, prevent, and respond to GBV through strengthened local systems, improved coordination
among service providers, and active involvement of traditional leaders, men, and boys in promoting non-
violent norms and behaviors.

2. Reduction in GBV Incidents: A measurable decrease in GBV cases reported in project sites, attributed to
increased awareness, better protection mechanisms, and empowerment of women and girls. Increased
community vigilance and improved referral systems will contribute to safer environments for all.
 3. Improved Psychosocial Well-being and Personal Dignity: Women and girls will report improved mental
health, confidence, and well-being as a result of participation in skill-building, social dialogue, and
distribution activities. Access to dignity kits will foster better menstrual hygiene and enhance self-esteem,
especially among displaced and vulnerable girls.

4. Economic Empowerment and Increased Resilience: A significant proportion of trained women and girls
will successfully initiate or expand income-generating ventures, achieving financial independence and
reducing their susceptibility to exploitation. This will also contribute to improved household income and
socio-economic security.

5. Community Attitudinal Change: Greater community acceptance of women’s and girls’ roles and rights,
evidenced by supportive behavior from male counterparts and improved inclusion in household and
community-level decision-making processes.

6. Improved Service Accessibility for PWDs: Persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, will
experience improved access to humanitarian services, livelihood opportunities, and protection
interventions. Barriers to participation will be identified and addressed through inclusive planning and
tailored support.

7. Replication and Scale-up Potential: The success of this project will provide actionable insights and
scalable models that can be adopted by other humanitarian actors and community-based organizations
across similar contexts in Northeast Nigeria and beyond.

8. Sustainable Impact through Local Ownership: Local structures, including trained community stakeholders
and small business networks, will take ownership of continued support and mentorship for beneficiaries,
ensuring long-term sustainability and social integration beyond the project’s lifespan.

PROJECT TITLE:
Enhancing well-being of women and girls through GBV risk mitigation efforts in Humanitarian
Response.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide Vocational Skill to empower Women and Girls in mitigating GBV Risks.
2. To support the well-being and dignity of women and girls.

ACTIVITIES
1. Engage men and boys in dialogue programs: Facilitate discussions that challenge toxic
masculinity and promote positive roles in preventing GBV, encouraging them to become allies in
gender equality
2. Educate community stakeholders on how to safely intervene and prevent potential GBV
incidents, fostering a collective responsibility for safety.
3. Distribution of START-UP Kits and Dignity Kits

TARGET POPULATION: 250

Activity 1 & 2 - 200 Beneficiaries
Activity 3 - 50 Beneficiaries (No. of Women - 25 No. of Girls -25)

GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF IMPLEMENTATION:

Jere LGA

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
GBV prevention and response, emphasizing the importance of economic empowerment, community
engagement, and supportive environments in mitigating GBV risks as well as promoting the well-
being of women and girls.

[Link] Positive Male Roles:Initiatives encourage men and boys to embrace respectful, non-
violent behaviors and advocate for gender equality
[Link] Safe Intervention Strategies: Participants will learn methods to safely intervene in
potential GBV situations, promoting community safety.
[Link] GBV Risk Mitigation: Participants will learn how economic empowerment can
serve as a strategy for mitigating GBV risks
[Link] Development: Training will equip women and girls with the knowledge to start
and manage small businesses, fostering self-reliance.
[Link] Economic Independence: Provision of start-up kits facilitates income-generating
activities, contributing to financial autonomy and reduced GBV risk.
[Link] Personal Dignity: Dignity kits provide essential hygiene items, helping women and girls
maintain personal hygiene and dignity.

DURATION:
April to May 2025

ANTICIPATED CHALLENGES
Gender norms limiting survivor's autonomy: Some communities may prevent women from making
individual decisions to their well being.