As part of sustained efforts to prevent and mitigate Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Osun State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (Osun RAAMP), in partnership with the Centre for Gender, Women and Children in Sustainable Development (CGWCSD) and supported by the World Bank, had commenced community entry visits across additional road corridors newly impacted by ongoing and planned RAAMP construction works.
The community entry process, was designed to foster community acceptance, deepen understanding of local socio-cultural dynamics, and build trust-based relationships with key stakeholders ahead of full-scale mobilization and sensitization activities. The visits covered several communities, including Aye Coker Junction, Yekemi, Ojumo Ola, Amodo, Atere, Olowookeere, Okusu, Aba Nathaniel, Olufun Junction, Aworin, Iwari Oloyo, Iwari Ogundan, Ikire (UNIOSUN Campus), Odo Agbora, Onikoko Farm Roads, Ikoyi, Onikete (Ijebu Igbo Junction), Ila (Sharp Corner), Elemogun, Isinmi Olootu Oluode, Olootu Oluode, Ife/Ondo Road (Erefe Junction), Molodo Village, Ishoya Village (8.78km), Iwo, Agoro, Ayede, Isero, and Ikonifin.
Engagements were held with traditional rulers, community chiefs, women and men’s groups, youth associations, and persons with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive approach that reflects the project’s commitment to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). During the visits, project representatives formally introduced the GBV prevention component of Osun RAAMP, outlined planned sensitization activities, and emphasized the heightened risk of GBV that may arise in communities experiencing increased construction-related activities.
Community leaders and stakeholders actively participated in the discussions, sharing concerns and context-specific insights that further highlighted the urgency of proactive GBV sensitization. Many expressed strong support for the initiative and demonstrated readiness to collaborate by jointly agreeing on suitable dates and modalities for forthcoming sensitization sessions.
Speaking on the initiative, representatives of Osun RAAMP reaffirmed the project’s commitment to ensuring that road infrastructure development is accompanied by strong social safeguards that protect women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. The Centre for Gender, Women and Children in Sustainable Development emphasized that early community engagement remains critical to preventing GBV, strengthening local ownership, and promoting safer, more inclusive project environments.
The community entry visits mark a significant step in Osun RAAMP’s broader GBV prevention strategy and set the foundation for effective community-level sensitization, advocacy, and sustained collaboration as road construction activities progress across the state.