PEBCLIN Trains Women in Lapai on SGBV Prevention, Justice and Community Peacebuilding

The Peace Bridges and Community Linkages Initiative (PEBCLIN), with support from the Lapai Emirate Council and in partnership with I Am Change Organization, has organised a capacity-building training on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

The training, themed “Strengthening Women’s Capacity to Prevent Abuse, Seek Justice, and Build Safe Homes,” brought together women, community stakeholders, local government officials and law enforcement personnel to strengthen awareness and community-level responses to abuse.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Vice Chairperson of Lapai Local Government, Hon. Hajiya Habiba Muhammad; the House Leader of the Lapai Local Government Legislative Council and Councillor representing Gabas/Kudu Ward, Hon. Hussaini Isah; and the Councillor representing Arewa/Yamma Ward, Hon. Aliyu Suleiman Kpotun Sule.

Other participants included community stakeholders and law enforcement officers.

In separate presentations, the Vice Chairperson and other speakers urged women and other survivors of abuse to report cases and seek appropriate legal and institutional support.

They also stressed the need to discourage stigma against survivors, noting that a supportive community environment could encourage victims to speak out and improve efforts to address rape and other forms of abuse affecting women, girls and boys.

A key component of the programme was the establishment of a Community Women Peace Action Committee (CWOPAC), led by women and facilitated by PEBCLIN Executive Director, Abdullahi Shuaibu.

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ccording to PEBCLIN, the committee is being established as a pilot initiative under its Women in Conflict project. Its responsibilities include advancing the protection and interests of women and children, particularly those affected by conflict, as well as supporting community-level implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The committee is also expected to contribute to child protection and education initiatives and strengthen community-based peacebuilding efforts.

Mr. Shuaibu expressed appreciation to the participating dignitaries, stakeholders and women for their participation and contributions to the training.

The organisers said the initiative is aimed at strengthening women's capacity to prevent abuse, access justice and play a greater role in peacebuilding and community protection in Lapai.