16 Days: Sensitization Programme for Women and Girls against Domestic Violence.

FAME Foundation Volunteer Assembly organized a sensitization programme in line with the 16 days of Activism for women and girls against domestic violence at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, Durumi, Area 1 on November 28, 2020.

The outreach program is one of the many events organized under the FAME Empowerment Project, an initiative set up to empower rural women and girls by provided them with information and knowledge not within their reach and also empowering them with skill sets which they can use to better their living and communities.

The aim of this sensitization programme was the educate refugee women and girls on sexual and gender based violence, especially domestic violence which is common in their locality.

FAME volunteers enlightened the women and girls on various topics and being a rural setting, a Hausa translator was engaged for effective communication.

The talk session comprised of four speakers with each having 10 minutes to relay their message.

First Session: Folake Oyebade, FAME Global Coordinator, educated the women and girls on the importance of good hygienic practices. She further encouraged girls to speak out and seek for help when needed. She also stated that the women should support and assist one another, especially in times of trouble and needs.

Second Session: Conducted by Swat Teku, who educated women and girls on the need to learn and involve in a trade/skills. She emphasized that this will help them towards being independent, productive and empowered. She stated that the chances of an empowered woman being abused is slimmer compared to that of an unempowered woman.

Third Session: Damilola Ayomide, an environmentalist and climate change advocate educated the women and girls on recycling and the need to keep their environment clean in order to promote healthy living conditions. He also stated that money can be saved and earned through recycling.

Fourth Session: FAME’s Programme Manager, Anna Mambula, spoke to the women on the life after IDP Camp, stating that she was sure everyone of them there hopes for an end to the insurgency happening in some parts of the country, so all can return back home. She admonish the women to think about their lives after leaving the IDP Camp and also look for means of livelihood to save up from, so as not to be burdens to others. She encouraged the women to co-habit in peace and harmony, always supporting and helping their fellow woman as much as they can.

FAME Executive Director, Ms. Aderonke Bello ended the session by advising women and girls on the importance of empowering and educating themselves towards being independent. She also stated that women and girls need to speak out against gender based violence.

Towards the end of the outreach, gifts items comprising of face masks, clothes, shoes, etc. which was donated by the foundation and its volunteers were distributed to the refugee women and girls.