AMDF Launches Project to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls in 12 Kaduna Communities

 Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has launched a project aimed at preventing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and strengthening community and institutional responses to gender-based violence in 12 communities across Kaduna State.

The 12-month project, titled “Advocating for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in 12 Communities of Kaduna State,” was implemented with support from Rise Up, a programme of the Public Health Institute, Johns Hopkins University, with funding from the Cummins Foundation.

The project commenced in September 2021 and focused on selected communities in Kaduna North and Kajuru Local Government Areas, with particular attention to rural communities where women and girls face significant risks of gender-based violence.

Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread human rights and public health challenges globally. It has far-reaching consequences for the physical and mental wellbeing, dignity, safety and economic opportunities of women and girls.

In Kaduna State, AMDF identified the need to strengthen community-level prevention mechanisms while improving awareness and implementation of existing laws designed to protect women and girls from violence.

The project’s overall goal was to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls by promoting positive social norms and strengthening the local implementation of legal frameworks, particularly the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2018.

Speaking on the project, AMDF Executive Director Iliya Kure said the intervention was designed to contribute to reducing gender-based violence by empowering communities and strengthening the capacity of relevant institutions.

Community-Based Action Volunteers

A major component of the project was the establishment of Community-Based Action Volunteers (COMBAV) across the selected communities.

The COMBAV teams serve as community-based response and prevention mechanisms, working closely with residents to identify and address issues relating to violence against women and girls.

The volunteers were tasked with promoting gender equity, challenging harmful social norms and practices, sensitising community members about existing laws and supporting referrals of survivors to relevant services.

These referral pathways included the Nigeria Police Force, Social Welfare services, health facilities, human rights institutions, traditional leaders and religious leaders, among other relevant service providers.

COMBAV members received training on Violence Against Women and Girls, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, conflict resolution, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), and community mobilisation.

Through this approach, AMDF sought to ensure that communities are better equipped to prevent violence, support survivors and connect individuals affected by violence with appropriate services.

Strengthening Police Capacity to Implement the VAPP Law

As part of efforts to improve institutional responses to gender-based violence, AMDF also trained officers attached to the Gender-Based Violence Desks of the Nigeria Police Force in Kaduna State.

The training focused on strengthening officers’ understanding of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2018 and enhancing their ability to apply the law in responding to and prosecuting perpetrators of gender-based violence.

AMDF Executive Director Iliya Kure stressed the importance of ensuring that the VAPP Law is effectively implemented to provide justice and protection for survivors.

He assured the participating officers of AMDF’s commitment to working with relevant institutions to combat all forms of gender-based violence across the state.

The Interim Head of the Gender and Family Unit at the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mariam Zakari, commended AMDF for the initiative and training. She expressed the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to collaborate with the Foundation in strengthening efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in Kaduna State.

Building Government and Community Partnerships

The project also prioritised engagement with key government and community stakeholders to build stronger partnerships for preventing and responding to VAWG.

AMDF paid an advocacy visit to the Kaduna State Police Command as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between civil society and law enforcement agencies.

The Foundation also recognised the contributions of the then Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hafsat Mohammed Baba, by honouring her as a “Champion Against Gender-Based Violence.”

The recognition acknowledged her administrative support and commitment to issues affecting women, girls and vulnerable populations.

Speaking during the engagement, Commissioner Hafsat Mohammed Baba commended AMDF for complementing government efforts through development-focused interventions.

She noted that it was encouraging to see a non-governmental organisation taking the initiative to address important development challenges while contributing to government’s efforts.

Speaking on behalf of the project team, Benjamin Yunana Maigari, the project lead, said AMDF recognised the Commissioner’s continued support for initiatives addressing issues affecting women and girls.

He explained that the recognition was intended to appreciate her efforts and encourage her to continue supporting initiatives aimed at reducing gender-based violence.

Key Project Milestones

The project recorded several important milestones, including:

• Establishment and mobilisation of Community-Based Action Volunteers (COMBAV) in selected communities.
• Capacity building for community volunteers on VAWG prevention, the VAPP Law, conflict resolution and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion.
• Training of Nigeria Police Force Gender-Based Desk officers on the implementation of the VAPP Law.
• Advocacy engagement with the Kaduna State Police Command.
• Engagement with government stakeholders to strengthen institutional responses to gender-based violence.
• Recognition of key stakeholders supporting efforts to prevent VAWG in Kaduna State.
• Strengthening referral pathways between communities, law enforcement, health, social welfare and other relevant services.

Towards Safer Communities for Women and Girls

Through the project, AMDF demonstrated the importance of combining community mobilisation, legal awareness, institutional capacity building and stakeholder advocacy in addressing gender-based violence.

By empowering community volunteers, strengthening the capacity of law enforcement officers and engaging government and community leaders, the Foundation sought to create stronger local systems for preventing violence and supporting survivors.

AMDF remains committed to promoting gender equity, protecting the rights of women and girls, and working with government institutions, communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to build safer and more inclusive communities across Kaduna State.

The Foundation believes that preventing Violence Against Women and Girls requires collective action and sustained commitment—from communities and families to government institutions, law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders, the media and civil society.

Together, communities can challenge harmful norms, strengthen accountability and create an environment where women and girls can live free from violence and discrimination.