The Centre for Gender, Women and Children in Sustainable Development (CGWCSD), in collaboration with the Osun State Government and the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) in project host communities across Osun State.
The project officially commenced on May 2, 2025, with a consultative stakeholders’ meeting held at the Conference Hall of the Osun State Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs. The event featured an Opening Address by the Osun RAAMP State Coordinator and Opening Remarks delivered on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, by Ms. Lola Adewale.
Goodwill messages were shared by key state and non-state stakeholders, including representatives from: Ministries of Health; Agriculture; Justice; Budget, Planning and Economic Development; the State Hospital Board, the State Police Command, NAPTIP, NSCDC, State Human Rights Commission, and FIDA, among others.
The Executive Director of CGWCSD, Professor Olabisi Aina and her team delivered compelling presentations on the goals of the project, emphasizing the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration and community engagement in achieving tangible results.
Project Focus and Key Activities
This intervention ensures that development activities do not unintentionally expose vulnerable individuals to risk. It is centered on survivor care, public awareness, and building stronger institutional mechanisms to protect community members, especially women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
Key components include:
- Community Sensitization and Empowerment: Through advocacy visits, town hall meetings, and IEC material distribution in English and Yoruba, communities are being informed about GBV, reporting systems, and available support services.
- Education and Peer Engagement: Peer educators and GBV prevention clubs are being formed among workers and youths to promote positive behavior and safe practices.
- Survivor Support Services: Survivors are provided with confidential health care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and referrals to safe shelters.
- Livelihood and Economic Empowerment: Survivors will have access to vocational training and economic empowerment programs to support their recovery and independence.
- Multi-sectoral Coordination: Ministries, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and legal institutions will collaborate under a coordinated referral and response framework.
Commitment to Ethics and Community Involvement
The project is grounded in ethical principles, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and survivor dignity. Community participation remains central to the project’s design and execution, with regular stakeholder meetings, feedback loops, and inclusive communication strategies.
A Model for Rural Development
This initiative positions Osun State as a model for integrating social safeguards into infrastructure development. It demonstrates that progress must never come at the cost of safety and that rural development must prioritize dignity, equity, and empowerment for all.
For more information, please contact:
Centre for Gender, Women and Children in Sustainable Development (CGWCSD)
Email: cgwcsd@gmail.com
Or reach out to the Osun RAAMP SPIU Office