By Ahmed Ahmed
An NGO, Attah Sisters Helping Hands Foundation (ASHHF) in Bauchi State has rehabilitated and integrated 75 Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) survivors into communities through moy therapy in the state
Mrs Kingsley Yallings, Programme Officer of the Foundation stated this at the annual review meeting of the foundation on Monday in Bauchi.
He said a total of 72 SGBV survivors have been rehabilitated and integrated into communities through the monthly therapy for SGBV survivors across the state from August 2021 to September 2023.
“Also the ASHH Foundation’s SGBV Case Management Committee’s efforts have borne fruit, resulting in the successful resolution of 27 SGBV cases from August 2020 to September 2023.
“The Foundation has achieved significant milestones since its commencement of Women the Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-N) project in 2020, supported by ActionAid Nigeria funded by Global Affairs Canada in the State,” he said.
Mr Yallings said the foundation’s dedication to advocating for justice and empowering survivors has garnered widespread support and yielded tangible results.
“In the year 2020, ASHH Foundation took a bold step by establishing a Case Management Committee, comprised of members from various government MDAs and civil society organizations
“That comprises the Ministthe ry of Women Affairs Police, NSCDC, FIDA, NHRC, CAN, JNI, BAHRN, FOMWAN, WOWICAN, social welfare departments of ATBUTH, and Bauchi Specialist Hospital,
“WFWI, NUJ, NAWOJ, AONN, WDIDI, NACTAL. This committee was tasked with advocating for, receiving, and effectively managing SGBV cases in the state,” he said
He said the Foundation made significant strides in improving the financial independence of women and girls through empowerment and Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA)
“Group activities in Hard-to-Reach areas of Bauchi, Dambam, and Gamawa LGAs. A total of 1,740 women were reached, with 90% of them having no prior source of income,” he sId.
The Programme Officer also explained ASHH Foundation, in collaboration with FOMWAN Bauchi conducted advocacy visits to all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in theState.
“The primary focus was on raising awareness about the WVL-N project’s goals and objectives, as well as educating communities on reporting and referral channels.
This initiative successfully garnered the support, partnership, and buy-in of communities in November 2020.
Joint advocacy visits by Bauchi WVL-N partners to key government offices,
“The Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Sustainable Development Goal’s Office, and Ministry of Cooperative, Small and Medium Enterprise, resulted in collaboration and partnership to form the Case Management Committee in 2020,” he said.
Responding, a survivor of neglect Mary Adam revealed how the ASHH Foundation’s Case Management Committee played a pivotal role in her empowerment journey.
“Having received support in the form of two bags of chakol, I skillfully redirected the proceeds from my initial business towards establishing another venture, specializing in selling Dan wake.
She explained her deep appreciation to the ASHH Foundation, acknowledging the crucial assistance received during her most challenging times.
She pondered on the difficulty she would have faced in providing for her children without the foundation’s support.
The survivor emphasized the tangible impact of the proceeds from her business, emphasizing how it has truly become a lifeline for her and her family.