Over 100 people from communities along the Kotu Stream trained on gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and sexual harassment.

To protect the rights, health and dignity of women and men, boys and girls, the WACA Project in coordination with Ward Councilors conducted training for community members and contractors from all nine wards in the Project Intervention Area on gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse.

The training was designed to raise the awareness of community members, including men, women, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities on GBV, SEA and SH and promote a community-led approach to prevention and management of GBV, SEA and SH. During the seminar, participants were introduced to the basic concepts of gender-based violence and discussed the root causes and impacts of GBV, SEA and SH and how they can protect people from GBV-related issues and support survivors.

“This training is very essential because it creates awareness [about gender-based violence],” said Omar Darboe, a resident of Bundung Borehole. “We were taken through different aspects of gender-based violence, including rape, sexual harassment, verbal and physical abuse which are issues that are happening in our communities. After this training, we will go back to our communities to enlighten them about GBV and work together to put a stop to it.”