16 DAYS FOR 16 COMMUNITIES

The 16 Days of Activism campaign undertaken by Gender and Development Action (GADA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs (MOWA) aimed to address the high prevalence of GBV in the Cross River State.

The objectives were: 1) to raise awareness of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law; 2) to help communities understand GBV offences, prescribed punishments, the jurisdiction of the court, and provision of services to the survivors; 3) to highlight and foster collaboration with key community stakeholders and State actors.

Through the campaign, GADA forged new relationships and strengthened existing partnerships with the MOWA, traditional leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, media, Women's Development Organizations (WDOs), Women's Rights Organizations (WROs) and influential community members such as police officers, lawyers, and community health workers.

Under the banner, “16 Days for 16 Communities”, the activities began with a walk to raise awareness on ending GBV and ended with a second walk around Calabar.