As part of ongoing environmental and social safeguard commitments under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), the Centre for Gender, Women and Children in Sustainable Development (CGWCSD) has conducted a one-day capacity-strengthening training aimed at enhancing community-level prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) across Osun RAAMP project communities.
The training, held at the Progressive Cooperative Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, brought together SPIU staff & their Contractors; the Executive Director, staff and fellows of CGWCSD, alongside peer educators and designated community focal points drawn from participating rural communities.
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Director of CGWCSD, Professor Olabisi Aina, underscored the importance of embedding safeguarding mechanisms within all development initiatives. She emphasized that while infrastructure expansion and rural access projects are designed to improve economic opportunities, they must also strengthen systems that prevent exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
“Development must never compromise dignity or safety. Safeguarding is not an add-on; it is central to inclusive and responsible project implementation,” she stated.
Professor Aina reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to equipping community actors with the knowledge, ethical orientation, and practical tools required to respond effectively and responsibly to reported cases.
During the training sessions, participants deepened their understanding of GBV as harmful acts rooted in gender inequality and power imbalances, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence. The sessions also clarified the meaning of SEAH within development contexts, particularly highlighting risks associated with exploitation, abuse, and harassment in project environments. Strong emphasis was placed on prevention, accountability, and the responsibility of community actors in early detection and safe reporting.
A major focus of the programme was the survivor-centred approach to response. Participants were trained to prioritize safety, uphold confidentiality, respond without judgment, and empower survivors to make informed decisions about the support they wish to receive. Through guided discussions and practical role-play scenarios, they strengthened their skills in providing first-line support, managing disclosures responsibly, and facilitating appropriate referrals, including cases involving children and other vulnerable individuals.
The training also created space for peer educators to reflect on field experiences, share lessons learned, and develop strategies for expanding advocacy across markets, schools, religious centres, health facilities, and other community platforms. This integrated approach is designed to ensure that prevention awareness and referral pathways are sustained at the grassroots level.
The initiative aligns with safeguard standards supported by the World Bank and is being implemented in collaboration with the Osun State Government. It reinforces the principle that development interventions must integrate strong protection systems to safeguard women, children, and vulnerable groups.
CGWCSD reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining community-driven mechanisms that ensure development projects remain inclusive, accountable, and protective of all residents within RAAMP communities. The Lead Facilitators at the Workshop are Prof. Olabisi Aina, Dr. O.O. Banjo & Dr. Toyin Ikuteyijo; with technical supports from Profs. J. O. Aransiola & L. O. Ikuteyijo; Ms Peace Ikujenlola, Ms Victoria Oluwafemi & Ms Adeola Okunola. The Training Team provided expert guidance on GBV/SEAH prevention, survivor-centred response, community advocacy strategies, and practical referral mechanisms.
Media Contact
Centre for Gender, Women and Children in Sustainable Development (CGWCSD)
Website: http://www.cgwcsd.org
Email: info@cgwcsd.org | cgwcsd@gmail.com
Phone: +234 706 499 2362 | +234 803 718 0569
Media Team:
Prof Lanre Ikuteyijo, Mr. Anthony Etim, Ms Omolola Opasanya and Mr. Emmanuel Ajala