For over two decades, the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) has championed women’s rights in Nigeria, leading efforts to combat the widespread issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Despite the strides made, the persistent prevalence of VAWG highlights the urgent need for continued, intensified action. To strengthen its leadership and broaden its impact, WRAPA has secured a BUILD Grant aimed at bolstering its institutional capacity and resilience, enhancing its ability to protect and empower women and girls across the nation.

WRAPA strategic focus includes a collaborative dialogue on membership drive and partner synergy, key elements in fortifying organizational resilience and driving impactful change. Building on recent zonal engagements and the official launch of its program volunteers, WRAPA will replicate this initiative at the state level. The state-level events will incorporate lessons learned from the zonal meetings, aiming to better engage volunteers in each state and equip them with the skills to effectively fulfill their roles. This Volunteer Corps represents a grassroots movement dedicated to advancing women’s rights and empowerment at the local level.

The persistence of VAWG in Nigeria is driven by complex socio-cultural, economic, and political factors. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, starting with robust community engagement. WRAPA’s initiative focuses on training volunteers to actively combat VAWG and promote gender equality, creating a foundation for lasting change at the grassroots level. Additionally, enhancing legal and social frameworks is critical to providing protective and supportive environments for victims and at-risk individuals. Through sustained advocacy, this initiative aims to drive significant shifts in policy and societal attitudes toward women’s rights.

The primary objective of this initiative is to train volunteers nationwide in women’s rights and empowerment and officially launch the Volunteer Corps. The event serves several purposes:

• Empowerment through Training: Equip volunteers with practical skills, tools, and insights to effectively advocate for women’s rights and empowerment in their communities.
• Inspiration and Mobilization: Inspire volunteers and community members to join the movement for gender equality, fostering a sense of solidarity and collective action.

The events featured participatory activities, presentations, discussions, and role-play exercises, all designed to engage and empower the volunteers.

The expected outcomes are:

• Empowered volunteers ready to drive positive change and advocate for women’s rights in their communities.
• Increased awareness and support for women’s rights and empowerment initiatives nationwide.

By combining comprehensive training with a grand launch, WRAPA aims to inspire its volunteers and attract widespread attention to the cause, setting the stage for significant progress in the fight against VAWG in Nigeria.