The Strengthening Civil Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project dissemination meeting took place on August 14th and 15th, 2024, at Ibeto Hotels in Abuja. The meeting brought together approximately 50 attendees, including representatives from FIDA, Caritas, Lawyers Alert, FOMWAN, Gender Commission, Gender Mobile, NILOWV, Talita Kumi, CSWI, Palladium, and traditional rulers.
The primary objective of the meeting was to present and analyze SCALE’s project on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM). The project aimed to combat these issues through a comprehensive approach, including research, capacity building, justice administration, referral system strengthening, awareness, and community engagement. SCALE’s project also promoted Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in advocacy, recognizing the importance of inclusive practices in creating lasting change.
The meeting highlighted the innovative strategies employed by SCALE, such as the 4-2-1 Push SMS Report system, which enabled survivors of SGBV to access support. Additionally, community bye-laws, including VAPP and ACG, were consolidated to charge offenders to court. Stakeholders resolved to champion sustainability initiatives, ensuring that the positive results achieved by the project would be preserved and continue to thrive in the long term.
The meeting outcomes included a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion concepts among stakeholders, as well as strengthened clusters to inform organizational policy. Moving forward, the next steps include developing contextual checklists for mainstreaming diversity and inclusion, consolidating the efficacy of community by-laws, especially VAPP, and disseminating the 4-2-1 Push SMS Report system for SGBV survivors.
This meeting marked a significant milestone in the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Child, Early Forced Marriage.
