mid-year report january june, 2020

Gender Based Violence (GBV) Sub Sector, Nigeria

Mid-Year Report

January – June, 2020

Exhibition of skills and IGA products by 13 Women and Girls Friendly Spaces in Borno State to mark International Women's Day, March 2020 - Supported by IMC

©Muhammad Bukar Umara

©Muhammad Bukar Umara

2 | G B V S u b S e c t o r M i d - Y e a r ( J a n u a r y t o J u n e , 2 0 2 0 ) R e p o r t

Introduction

At the beginning of the year, the GBV Sub Sector shared a jointly developed GBV response plan, which targeted

1.3million individuals for direct GBV response services in 2020, with 45% and 34% of the target population being girls

and women respectively. Following the COVID-19 crisis, the sub sector as part of the Protection Sector and Inter

Sector Working Group (ISWG) engaged in the process of developing COVID-19 response strategies, and contributed

towards the HRP Addendum for COVID-19. While retaining its target, the GBV Sub Sector recognized the

implications of the pandemic towards access to services and the need to adopt flexible modalities for service provision.

At national level, Nigeria has recorded some positive developments during the reporting period. These include efforts

by the Nigeria Governors Forum to declare a state of emergency on Gender-Based Violence; the inauguration of the

Inter Ministerial Gender Based Violence Management Committee; the Senate approval of the Sexual Harassment Bill

in furtherance of the legislative agenda to protect women’s rights and at regional level Statement by the ECOWAS

Commission calling for urgent action to address GBV and protect the rights of children. In June, the National Human

Rights Commission, the Nigeria Police and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons

(NAPTIP) signed an agreement of formally joining forces to combat GBV. These developments present opportunities

to further the prevention and response to GBV in north east Nigeria

This report highlights activities implemented by the GBV Sub sector from January to June, 2020, including key

actions taken to adapt service provision in the context of COVID-19 pandemic – an update of the May 2020 report.

It provides a brief highlight on the trends of GBV incidents being observed, however, for more detailed analysis on

trends please refer to the GBV Information Management Systems (GBVIMS) Mid-Year Report.

Situation Update on GBV Trends: January to June, 20201

The GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS) enables service providers to safely collect, store and analyse

data on reported incidents of GBV in the context of service delivery in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. The

COVID-19 pandemic has presented key challenges in displacement contexts with increased risks of domestic violence,

intimate partner violence and sexual exploitation and abuse, in addition to and resulting from loss of income and

household stress; as well as barriers to help-seeking options for survivors.

99% of the reported incidents of GBV affected women

and girls, while 2% of reported incidents of GBV was

made by survivors with disability. Of all the reported

incidents, 79% were perpetrated against adults.

Physical assault at 27%, denial of resources at 27%, and

Psychological/emotional abuse at 19% ranked

1 GBVIMS Nigeria, Mid-Year Report: January to June, 2020. The data shared is only from reported cases, generated exclusively by GBV service providers who use the GBVIMS in a limited number of locations across BAY States and with the consent of survivors. The data is in no way representative of the total incidence or prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria and should not be used for direct follow-up with survivors or organizations for additional case follow-up.

comparatively among the incidents for which survivors

sought help.

Sexual violence (rape and sexual assault) accounted for

17% of the total incidents reported and forced marriage

was at 10%. While rape accounted for 15% of all sexual

Physical Assault27%

Denial of Resources27%Psych/Emotional

Abuse19%

Rape15%

Forced Marriage10%

Sexual Assault2%

GBV Type

69%

10%

8%6%5%

2%Case Context

SEA SS

E/M HTP

CSA IPV

Sexual exlploitation & abuse, sexual slavery,early marriage, child sexual abuse, harmfultraditional practices, intimate partnerviolence


violence cases, in 22% of the incidents help was sought

within 0-3days, and after one month in 68% of the cases.

21% of reported incidents were perpetrated towards

children-on average 1 in every 5 reports were from

children. Out of all cases reported by children, 29% was

made by unaccompanied and separated children. 48% of

the incidents reported by child survivors was an incident

of sexual violence (either rape or sexual assault). 29% of

the incidents reported by child survivors was an incident

of forced, early marriage).

69%, that is 3 in 5 reported incidents of GBV were

perpetrated in the context of Intimate Partner Violence

(IPV).

The month of May, 2020 particularly registered an

increase of 8% in divorces/separated survivors reporting

incidents of GBV; 4% increase in incidents occurring in

the context of IPV; while increase in the number of

incidents occurring in the survivor's residence by 3%.

Gender Based Violence Response Highlights

Survivor Referrals and Access to Services:

GBV Service Mapping and Referral Pathways: The GBV

Sub Sector continued to conduct mapping of critical

GBV response stakeholders, regularly update and share

with partners GBV referral pathways/directories.

Partners procure and provide COVID-19 prevention

items and supplies to response teams, protection desks,

women and girl friendly spaces, GBV response teams in

referral centres following IPC procedures.

Confidential spaces including service provision hubs to

provide remote services through telephone helplines in

the context COVID19 were established in Maiduguri,

Pulka and Monguno. This is to enhance survivors and

other vulnerable individuals to access GBV case

management and psychosocial support services.

GBV Helpline management assessment was conducted to

understand the existing capacity for remote service

provision and therefore develop informed strategies to

support partners. The report underscores the need to

support the establishment of a state level infrastructure

for GBV helpline management that is sustainable and

supports confidential and ethical incident data

management at state level. There is a joint initiative by

the GBV and Child Protection Coordinators to develop

a concept note on how to take this forward.

With funding from Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF),

the GBV Sub Sector conducted a test run and pilot roll

out of Smart RR - a mobile application which enables

survivors, social workers and service providers to report

and refer GBV incidents to relevant service providers

TARGET

1.3M People

REACHED

319,300 People

Internally Displaced Persons

230559

Host Community Members

76865

Returnees

10870 PFAAG 7004

PWD 70

Yobe 16,501 Borno

282,485

Adamawa 20,314

People Reached by Sex and Age

13%Men

26%Girls

75% Gap

25% Target Population

Boys 7%

Elderly women 2%

2% Elderly men

Women 50%

Reached


and authorities, conducts service mapping,

automatically updates referral directories, collects and

analyses referral data. The application is an innovation

of a local NGO partner, built on the referral mechanism

of the GBV Sub Sector to mitigate existing challenges

such as under reporting and associated difficulties with

accessing services. A test run has been conducted within

a group of GBV specialists in Borno and Adamawa

States under the guidance of the GBV Strategic

Advisory Group to ensure the application does not

compromise survivor centred approaches to GBV service

provision. It is currently being piloted in locations in

Adamawa State.

The GBV Sub Sector has supported the PSEA Network

to secure and activate a toll free number to facilitate

inter agency reporting of allegations of Sexual

Exploitation and Abuse. This makes inter agency SEA

reporting possible through the following confidential

channels: Toll Free Line: 0800-000-2022 and Email:

[email protected]. These inter

agency SEA reporting channels complement existing

agency/organisational mechanisms and therefore the

need to ensure they are operational.

One Stop/Holistic Approach to GBV Response:

To address the cultural, operational and financial

barriers to accessing comprehensive GBV response care,

a holistic and integrated approach provides enhanced

access to medical care and psychosocial support, safe

spaces/safe shelter facilities, access to legal services and

justice, access to livelihood and coping resources,

including enhanced knowledge management for policy

and practice.

Seven health facility based Sexual Assault Referral

Centres (SARC) exist in the north east (one in Adamawa

State, one in Borno State and 5 in Yobe State) working

closely with the ministries of women affairs and social

development, ministry of justice, law enforcement

agencies (Nigeria Police Force - NPF and Nigeria

Security and Civil Defence Corps - NSCDC) and media.

The centres have set up confidential rooms for

counselling and train existing health care staff on GBV

guidelines to deliver quality, respectful, and

comprehensive services. State level SARC steering

committees exist to conduct advocacy and community

engagement.

During the reporting period, three One Stop Centres

(OSC) have also been stablished in Maiduguri – Borno

State, Mubi – Adamawa State, and Potiskum – Yobe

State following a similar model to holistic approach that

allows GBV survivors to access medical, psychosocial,

legal, and social reintegration services at a single place

and time.

In Borno State, in addition to NAPTIP, safe shelter

facilities have been established within some locations in

MMC to enable survivors to receive interim care and

safety options in situations where they’re facing security

threat as a result of their GBV experience.

mailto:[email protected]


The GBV Sub Sector has launched the Technical

Working Group on access to justice and engagement

with security actors. The team is developing a roadmap

and will work closely with the ongoing initiatives at the

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) and One Stop

Centres (OSC).

Livelihoods and Coping Mechanisms:

Following IPC procedures, partners have continued to

support women and youth organizations to produce

hygienic products and protective equipment as a

sustainable solution to enhance household income and

community resilience. Products produced are aimed at

prevention of COVID-19 such as sanitizers, face masks,

soap as part of their skills building programmes in

Women and Girls Friendly Spaces (WGFS) and

empowerment centres. A training targeting women led

organisations from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States

prioritised local production of sanitizers and soap, was

conducted and rolled out to community based women’s

groups within the three states.

During the reporting period, a centre for local

production and assembly of standardised dignity kits

was established in Maiduguri, Borno State. This brings

the total of local production and assembly centres for

dignity kits to two. In these centres, women and girls are

engaged in production of eco-friendly re-washable

sanitary pads and engage other women led groups and

women to supply locally made products for the assembly

of standardised dignity kit items and hygiene products.

Both centres are established with funding from the

NHF. These efforts need to be strengthened as a

sustainable solution to build resilience capacity and

enhance household wellbeing.

As a result of these and other initiatives for local

procurement and assembly, dignity kits were provided

for treatment and quarantine facilities to meet the

feminine and menstrual hygiene needs of females

affected by COVID-19. This will continue in other

facilities that have been established or are in the process

of establishment.

Capacity Building:

The GBV Sub Sector continued to develop technical and

strategic guidance notes, compile and share relevant

resources for partners to support response actions in the

context of COVID-19. Appropriate training has been

provided to staff where relevant on adapting new

guidelines and guidance notes to service provision.

Given that remote service provision has risks associated

with guaranteeing safety and confidentiality, scale up

the rollout of Primero/GBVIMS+ to document case

management practices while on lockdown/limited

engagement.

17 participants from INTERSOS, CARE, Plan

International and UNFPA benefitted from a remote

five-day GBVIMS+ training as newly approved

organizations to use the GBVIMS+ platform alongside

Libyan and Bangladeshi GBVIMS partners as part of

the remote roll out process.

A total of 53 participants from Plan International, Grow

Strong Foundation, RHHF, AHI and UNFPA

benefitted from GBV Case Management training

targeting responses in the north east and northwest

Nigeria.


Strengthening Community Structures:

Women committees, Women’s Action Groups and

community volunteers have been activated in various

locations to offer support to survivors and provide a

trusted source of information for GBV service provision,

and women’s health. The Women’s

Committees/Women’s Action Groups facilitate service

provision using survivor centred approaches, enhance

GBV referral pathways working closely with service

providers.

The Women’s Committees also conduct community

engagement actions jointly with law enforcement

officers – Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigeria

Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed in

these locations. With support from the CCCM sector, the

women’s committee participate as representatives in the

governance structure at camp level and other relevant

activities.

IEC, Messaging and Community Engagement:

To commemorate the women’s month (March) and the

International Women’s Day, a series of events were

organised by partners both jointly and at agency level to

engage key stakeholders and community members. One

such event was an exhibition of skills and IGA products

by women and girls from 13 Women and Girls Friendly

Spaces (WGFS) across 3 LGAs of Borno state.

Approximately 1275 local leaders, community members,

and allies came together to celebrate the achievements

and creations of the women and girls from the Women

and Girls Friendly Spaces, where each centre showcased

and sold the products that they make – such as fabrics,

bags, clothing, artwork, jewellery, and food. Three

Women’s Friendly Spaces from Galtimari, Dala, and

Limanti emerged as the winners, and along with the

other centres, received prices such as sewing machines,

fabric, and spaghetti processing machines.

Through an initiative of the Women Led Organisations

in Borno State and the Technical Working Group on

dignity kits, a series of events were organised to

commemorate the global menstrual hygiene day. The

purpose was to highlight key issues and launch the free

pad for girl’s campaign, open a discussion on the needs

and challenges of menstrual hygiene, share experiences

of ongoing efforts and plans for dignity kits scale-up,

develop recommendations on policy influencing and

funding opportunities for dignity kits and hygiene

management. Partners from key sectors such as

Education in Emergencies and the WASH sector were

actively involved.

During the reporting period, the GBV Sub Sector has

Updated the translated GBV key messages from 5 to

9 local languages;

Developed guidance on dealing with disclosures of

GBV and SEA for Women’s Committees/Women’s

Action Groups;

Developed a training resource package for

community structures/volunteers on handling GBV

disclosures; and

Developed story boards for community

engagements which have all been shared with

partners.

GBV Mainstreaming:

As part of the Inter Sector Working Group (ISWG) action plan, a multisector GBV safety audit was conducted in 9

LGAs in Borno state to enable humanitarian actors determine observable risks and assess specific vulnerabilities of

women, girls, boys and men to those identified risks in service provision. Joint analysis was conducted and sector

specific action plans are being developed to implement GBV risk mitigation measures in sector interventions.

Menstrual

Hygiene

Day/

COVID-19

Awareness

Session with

Adolescents

at Arabic

Camp

WGFS by

FHI360


Operational Challenges and Gaps

COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on service provision: The GBV

Sub Sector recorded a significant decrease in service provision to

survivors and individuals at risk of GBV between March to June

2020. This is attributed to restrictions and lockdown measures that

have presented barriers to help-seeking options for survivors and

reduced footprint of actors that affected the availability and quality

of service provision.

Community based prevention activities have greatly been affected

due to requirements for social distancing. These are avenues through

which communities are engaged on raising awareness on dangers of

GBV and information on services available. In hard-to-reach

communities where information is not available due to technological

limitations, women and girls have limited or no information about

access to GBV services.

Funding for the continuation of ongoing activities. Two

key GBVSS NGO partners stop implementation by the

end of July due to funding challenges. These activities

were being implemented with funding carried over

from last year. Services affected include GBV case

management, psychosocial support, skills building

activities and Women and Girls Friendly Spaces.

Locations affected are in Pulka, Mafa, Jere (Dala

Lawanti, Old Maiduguri Police station camp); MMC

(Wulari community, Limanti, Bulabuiln/Layin

Tijjani, Bolori Layout) and Konduga (Auno/Chabbol,

Gubio IDP Camp) – where these partners are the

primary or the only GBV partner providing lifesaving

services.

Referrals and linkages to sexual assault referral centres

and one stop centres: While these are critical service

provision infrastructure, key challenges include

inadequate capacity among the key service providers,

poor referral and coordination capacity, and in-

availability of some critical services such as GBV case

management capacity, MHPSS, relevant supplies for

management of sexual violence, unethical GBV data

management, among others. There is an urgent need to

strengthen the existing services, coordination as well as

referral mechanisms to ensure survivors access to

comprehensive services is facilitated.

Service provision gaps exist especially in deep field

locations. The least available services are related to

access to justice for survivors. Even in situations where

they exist, there are numerous operational and

structural challenges associated which act as barriers

for survivors. Safe facilities do not exist is Yobe State,

the one is Adamawa State is non-functional, while the

functionality of the ones in Borno State need to be

urgently strengthened. GBV prevention and response

services within learning/education centres, targeting

children and adolescents is very limited.

Quality of service provision needs to be strengthened,

especially when it relates to the necessary skillsets

required for specialised services such as GBV case

management, medical care, MHPSS among others.

When the quality of services to survivors is

compromised, it does more harm than good and

undermines the dignity of survivors.

Irresponsible and unethical GBV data collection and

management practices among partners and key

stakeholders. Apart from GBVIMS partners, most of

the institutional GBV service providers lack systems to

ensure the safety, confidentiality and other ethical

considerations necessary to collect and share GBV. In

addition, stigma and fear of discrimination leads to

significant under-reporting of cases of GBV, such that

existing data only demonstrates the tip of the iceberg.

77638

99225

32831

35529

30865

43212

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

People Reached by Month


Recommendations and Priorities

Recommendations Responsible Actors / Lead

Strengthen quality of service provision and coordination for on-going lifesaving,

multi-sectoral services – GBV Case management, MHPSS, protection and safety

options, access to justice, livelihood services, among others.

All partners

Strengthen the service provision and coordination for Sexual Assault Referral and

One Stop Centres.

Conduct capacity mapping within SARCs/OSCs and implement a targeted

capacity building plan

Develop protocols to guide interventions and referrals on the expected

minimum standards of service provision

Conduct periodic coordination and reflection meetings for SARC/OSC

stakeholders to address key challenges. Update the GBV Referral

guidelines to align with SARC/OSCs

Invite key partners to scale service provision where there are gaps (GBV

Case management, MHPSS, Legal assistance, safe shelter/safety options,

referral logistics)

Strengthen referral systems – scale up Smart RR mobile application among

the service provision institutions and provide logistical support to

survivors

MoWASD, MCN, GBVSS

Secretariat, TWG on access to

justice

All partners

Establish state level toll-free helpline infrastructure adequately equipped with all

the necessary equipment, computer based application, human resources and with

clear linkages to all referral points. This is an essential service, to provide critical

psychological first aid, psychosocial support, case management and access to

safety, medical care and justice.

MoWASD, GBV and CP Sub

sectors

Partners providing helpline

services

Targeted capacity building to improve quality of service provision – some key areas

for consideration include GBV case management following the inter agency

guidelines, helpline management, PFA, PPE use, mobile data collection, helpline

management, facilitating uptake for legal services etc.

All partners

Women and girl’s empowerment including support to reintegration of survivors of

conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) and persons formerly abducted and

associated with armed groups.

All partners

GBV data management

Capacity building inform of skills and infrastructure for key service

provision institutions (i.e SARC/OSC) on GBV data collection, storing,

analysis and sharing

Scale up for GBVIMS and Primero/GBVIMS+ increasing the number of

users using more safe and ethical data collection method

Media engagement and capacity building on ethical GBV reporting

GBVCM/IMS TWG,

MoWASD

All partners

Meaningful community engagement focusing on addressing social norms and

gender stereotypes as well as promoting behaviour change. All partners requested

to develop realistic GBV prevention strategies that incorporate COVID-19

prevention guidelines.

All partners

IEC and GBV messaging: The trends in data collection indicates the need for

messages/tips on safety planning for IPV survivors, GBV disclosures, step by step

guide on reporting rape & sexual violence cases, e.t.c.

IEC and Messaging task force

All partners

Coordinated capacity building and engagement for security personnel and

uniformed personnel

TWG on access to justice

Strengthen ongoing joint programming efforts: response to child and adolescent

survivors, GBV prevention and response in education settings and learning centres,

efforts to prevent and address early, child and forced marriages.

All partners

Conduct peer review exercise across the sub sector to inform the humanitarian

programme cycle, reflect on service provision quality standards and general

performance.

GBVSS Secretariat


As of June 2020, report from partners

shows that not all funding sources have

been reported to the FTS, making it

difficult to ascertain the actual value. The

GBV Sub Sector thanks all its donors for

their ongoing support to some of the most

vulnerable women, girls, boys and men in

North East Nigeria, especially to

governments, International donors and

private individuals for their continued and

sustained support. The GBV SS partners

are enabled to provide lifesaving and life

sustaining interventions, thanks to the

contributions of donors

Government Agency, 4

National NGO, 29

UN Agency, 4

International NGO, 16

20 20 18 18 12 6 4

GBV CaseManagement

Livelihoods/skillsacquisition

Mental healthand Psychosocial

Support

Women and GirlsFriendly Spaces

Health/MedicalCare

Justice/LegalServices

Protection, Safetyand Security

Partners Per Service

For Information about the GBV Sub Sector in Nigeria write to: [email protected] or

visit https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/nigeria/gender-based-violence

53 Implementing Partners

Funding Partners & Recognition

mailto:[email protected]

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/nigeria/gender-based-violence

mid-year report january june, 2020

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