The National Institute for Leadership and Ending Violence against Women and Girls (NILEVAWG) has completed a three-day national capacity building for young women between the ages of 18 and 35.
The Institute, which is a brainchild of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) is to equip participants with leadership and mobilizing skills, and existing frameworks to prevent and end VAWG in Nigeria.
The training was held in two batches at the Corinthia Villa Hotel, Garki 2, Abuja, last week,
CEO of NWTF Ms. Brenda Anugwom who welcomed participants to the training said there is a need for a change in attitudes as women and as a people to end violence against women and girls, for a more sustainable society, where every form of violence is eschewed.
“Women’s voices and leadership over the years have been limited due to multiple barriers which include physical and sexual violence, lack of opportunities in decision-making, unequal gender relations to mention a few.”
According to her, the training is the third phase of the mentorship program to build a stronger network of young women across the country, who understand the pains of being abused, raped, and violated even in the minute ways and are prepared to find lasting and pragmatic means to end every form of violence against women and girls.
She thanked the Ford Foundation for Strengthening Women’s Voices, Institutions, and Women’s Rights, and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Nigeria through the support of NWTF.
“Our mentees are now taking the lead and speaking against violence against women and girls across the country. They are already building partnerships, collaborations, community mobilization, and team building against this scourge in Nigeria.” She urged participants to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund during and after the mentorship program.
This institute was a sequel to the successful completion of a similar but distinct project under the Ford Foundation called Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Phase I and II in eight states – Adamawa, Cross River, FCT, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Rivers, Kebbi and Ekiti state. This brought the idea of instilling leadership skills in women and girls across the country. Hence, the National Institute for Leadership and Ending Violence against Women and Girls (NILEVAWG).
