Kano, Nigeria – 1 December 2024 – As part of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, Lift Africa Foundation convenes a high-level
multistakeholder session with development partners, government agencies, and civil society
organisations to assess progress, identify gaps and coordinate collective actions aimed at
strengthening GBV prevention and response systems in Kano State.
The meeting brings together representatives from Mercy Corps, Georgetown Global Health
Nigeria (GGHN), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP),
and several community-based organisations. The dialogue focuses on accelerating legal reforms,
improving survivor services, harmonising community sensitisation efforts and strengthening
institutional accountability.
Assessing Progress in the First Week of the Campaign
Partners review activities conducted between 25–30 November, highlighting key achievements,
including:
- increased public awareness through radio sensitisation
- stronger community demand for justice
- improved understanding of the VAPP Act
- new survivor referrals to support services
- engagement of youth networks across LGAs
Lift Africa Foundation presents early insights from community feedback, noting a growing
recognition that legal reform is essential to addressing GBV in Kano.
Aligning Partners on Legal Advocacy for the VAPP Act
A major focus of the session is the domestication of the Harmonised VAPP Law, which remains
the central advocacy demand of the 2024 campaign. Participants discuss:
- persistent misconceptions about the Act
- concerns raised by religious and traditional leaders
- legal gaps in current protection frameworks
- opportunities for structured engagement with state authorities
The partners agree on coordinated messaging that clarifies the Act’s alignment with survivor
rights, community values and religious principles.
Strengthening Survivor Services and Protection Pathways
NAPTIP, Mercy Corps, GGHN and other stakeholders assess critical gaps within the existing
GBV response infrastructure, focusing on:
- limited shelters and safe spaces
- inadequate psychosocial and trauma-informed care
- low reporting due to fear and stigma
- inconsistent referral protocols
- weak linkages between communities and formal systems
Lift Africa Foundation emphasises the need to strengthen and expand the Waraka Sexual Assault
Referral Centre, which remains overwhelmed due to limited staffing, funding and coverage.
Enhancing Collaboration with Community and Religious Leaders
Partners underscore the importance of culturally grounded advocacy that recognises local
contexts.
Recommendations emerging from the session include:
- deeper engagement with Imams, traditional rulers and women’s associations
- community dialogues that address cultural beliefs surrounding early marriage and silence
around GBV - strengthening men-and-boys programmes
- using community champions to support case reporting and prevention
Coordinating Communication and Outreach Strategies
To ensure consistent public messaging, partners agree on:
- unified communication materials
- coordinated radio and community outreach
- harmonised explanation of GBV laws
- joint awareness visits across markets, schools and communities
This approach enhances the credibility and reach of the campaign across the state.
Commitment to Collective Action
Participants reaffirm their commitment to:
- expanding survivor protection
- supporting legal reforms
- mobilising communities for prevention
- strengthening institutional accountability
- sustaining GBV advocacy beyond the 16-day period
The meeting concludes with an agreement to deepen collaboration during the remaining days of
the campaign, ensuring that advocacy efforts culminate in actionable policy recommendations
for state authorities.
Lift Africa Foundation’s Commitment
Through this multistakeholder convening, Lift Africa Foundation reinforces its role as a
coordinating force in Kano’s GBV sector, committed to:
- building strong partnerships
- advancing legal and institutional reforms
- strengthening community trust and engagement
- promoting survivor-centred, evidence-based advocacy
- supporting systems that protect women and girls across all LGAs
This collaborative moment marks a critical step toward building a safer, more accountable and
equitable environment for women and girls in Kano State.