Women constitute 49.31% of Nigeria’s population estimated at 211.4 million, but this does not reflect in the percentage of representation of women at the national and sub-national level. In terms of representation at national parliaments, Nigeria ranks 184 of 192 countries. In fact, the percentage of women representation at the National Assembly has dwindled further with the recently concluded 2023 General Elections. Additionally, statistics shows that 1 in 3 women in Nigeria are projected to experience physical violence by their 15th year. WFD in partnership with OSAA-GBV, through funding from FCDO, implemented the phase two of the Global Equality Project (GEP II). The project helped to create awareness on the content of the VAPP Act in Ondo State and channels for engaging the process.  

With the successful completion of the one-year project, it was pertinent to close it with a reflection and learning meeting to identify challenges, lessons, and successes achieved. This is in addition to providing recommendations for building on strides made through the project. The meeting was also an opportunity for Ondo state and participating institutions to explore modalities for working more collaboratively in promoting the inclusion and protection of underrepresented groups. This is while reversing the scourge of GBV in Ondo State, and Nigeria as a whole. 

Participants were unanimous that GEP II was helpful in creating public awareness, particularly at the grassroots, about the VAPP law. It was also noted that the project provided the needed platform for increased interactions and cohesion between OSAA-GBV, ministries, and agencies as well as officials of the State government that are vital to the implementation of the State VAPP law. A series of capacity strengthening workshops, meetings and consultations amongst civil society actors, government officials, parliamentarians, traditional and religious leaders, as well as the media were held to make this possible. As a result, officials have become more knowledgeable in responding to GBV cases and able to influence decision makers to prosecute cases of GBV using the Ondo State VAPP law.  

Achieving all of these was made possible through broad public communication and information, and media advocacy campaigns. This involved letters to the media, press conferences, calls to action, and radio programmes to disseminate information on the project. Mass action was carried out through public pressure campaigns. For example, during key dates, such as the 16 Days of activism against Gender-Based Violence, relevant activities held to call the attention of the public to both the VAPP law and the concerns about GBV.  

The implementation of the GEP II project was further reinforced with the production and use of relevant information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. This enabled relevant and appropriate messages about the content of the both the VAPP law, and the draft Ondo State Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy to be disseminated everywhere. For instance, 1,000 IEC materials, such as posters, leaflets, banners, branded T-shirts, face caps on the content of the VAPP law which all raised awareness and “watered the seed” of behaviour change in the State. 

The development of an online learning platform , is  to enable general online access to training and information on GBV for wider audiences in Ondo and beyond. The learning platform is one of the sustainability elements which will make it possible for individuals and groups to keep learning about GBV after the closure of GEP II. Additionally, child safeguarding policy, the Ondo VAPP law, and other international instruments useful for promoting human and women’s rights and the protection of minors. With these, the deepening of the implementation of Ondo State VAPP law will keep growing.