A workshop was held to strengthen multi-sector committees in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)
This report summarizes the key activities, outcomes, lessons, and recommendations from the workshop held on October 12th, 2024 at Adama for a day. The workshop aimed to strengthen multi-sector committees in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of committee members to effectively prevent and respond to SGBV through Multi-sectorial collaboration. The participants of the sectors include religious organizations, Government organizations, Education offices, one-stop centers, CSOs, prosecutors, and justice offices.
The outcome of the workshop is discussed below:
Main discussion points were:
The main discussion points of the half-day multi-sectorial GBV committee meeting were centered on strengthening collaboration and addressing SGBV comprehensively.
•GBV Concepts and Contextualization: A foundational overview of GBV concepts was presented to ensure a shared understanding among participants. This included definitions, types of GBV, and the impact of SGBV on individuals and communities.
•The importance of the Multi-Sectorial Approach: The importance of a multi-sectorial approach was emphasized, highlighting the benefits of coordinated efforts from various sectors. This included discussions on how different sectors can complement each other’s strengths to provide comprehensive and effective responses to SGBV.
•Sharing Experiences and Best Practices: Participants shared their experiences and insights related to addressing SGBV. These discussions provided valuable lessons learned and identified potential areas for improvement.
•SOPs: The Oromia Zonal Justice highlighted the existence of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for working with SGBV cases. The committee recommended referring to these SOPs as a starting point for developing and implementing effective protocols.
A workshop on Establishing a Robust Referral Network for SGBV Survivors
This report summarizes the key activities, outcomes, and lessons learned from the workshop sessions held on October 11th, 2024 at Adama to establish a robust referral network for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of service providers to identify SGBV cases, provide appropriate care, and refer survivors to specialized services. The participants were Justice Professionals, One-Stop Center Experts, Women’s and Children’s Affairs Offices (City and Wereda), Police Gender Experts, Prosecutors, Community-Based Organizations, Girls and Young Women (from Girls Forum), and Religious Leaders.
The workshop aimed to achieve the following objectives:
o Increase awareness of SGBV and its impact on survivors
o Enhance understanding of referral pathways and protocols
o Improve skills in identifying and responding to SGBV cases
o Strengthen coordination and collaboration
o Develop a shared referral network to facilitate timely access to services
Lessons Learned
1.Community Engagement is Crucial:
o Effective community mobilization and awareness campaigns are essential for successful project implementation.
o Engaging with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, and NGOs, fosters collaboration and ownership
2.Strong Team Dynamics:
o Formalizing team roles and responsibilities through MOUs enhances accountability and coordination.
o Fostering a positive team spirit and effective communication channels are essential for maintaining motivation and productivity.
3.Grounded Implementation:
o Prioritizing grassroots-level implementation ensures that the project’s benefits reach the target population directly.
4.Community-Based Organizations (CBOs):
o Engaging with CBOs can significantly enhance project implementation and impact, as they have deep roots within communities.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention peer to peer education guideline
Developing the guideline
The guideline is developed in a context-specific manner. The guideline aims to empower girls to understand their inherent strength and ability to defend themselves. Teach them to identify and respond to various forms of assault (verbal, intimidation, physical). Equip them with self-defense skills and strategies to escape dangerous situations. The guideline targets girls and young women from in-school and out of school-aged 10-19.The translation to Oromia was also undertaken.
Preliminary works
To begin the session, identifying the targets and setting criteria
1. Identify the targets: Determine the specific groups, in-school and out-of-school clubs who will participate. In this case, the targets are girls and young women aged 10-19, representative boys will be included for male engagement. The out-of-school clubs started identifying the participants and the in-school ones waiting for the school opening.
2. Set criteria: Established specific criteria that participants must meet to be eligible for the session.
Training on Advocacy techniques, leadership, and effective Communication
Provided two days training for women organizations and GYW leaders and other stakeholders in leadership skills, advocacy techniques, and effective communication to enhance their ability to address SGBV within their communities. A total 24 (11F) have participated from the mentioned organizations.
The two-day training program successfully equipped participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent and address SGBV effectively. Participants gained a deeper understanding of SGBV issues, learned advocacy techniques, and developed effective communication strategies. It is anticipated that these skills will be applied in their respective communities and organizations to contribute to a significant reduction in SGBV.
Establishment of community based compliant mechanisms for SEA and follow up
The aim of the training program was to build the capacities of the experts on safeguarding and Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) alongside establishing accessible reporting mechanisms for affected communities. The training was held on June 20th, 2024.
It’s Objectives are:
Coordinated services on GBV will be put in place in the targets Weredas.
Safe and accessible reporting channels for PSEA.
Training Components
•Safeguarding and PSEA Training:
•Develop and deliver training modules for staff and volunteers on
•Definitions of safeguarding and PSEA
•Codes of Conduct
•Identifying and responding to potential abuse
•Survivor-centered approach
Training methods:
•Interactive and brainstorming presentations
•Case studies and role-playing exercises
Concepts on reporting mechanisms and case management presented summarized:
•Safe and confidential
•Available in local languages
•Accessible for people with disabilities
Result
•Increased awareness of safeguarding and PSEA among staff and sector experts
•Improved ability to identify and prevent potential abuse
•Empowered to report abuse safely and securely
•Stronger protection mechanisms for vulnerable populations
