UYO prioritizes the safety and dignity of women, girls, men, and boys. Recognizing the cultural stereotypes affecting progress in achieving gender equality and additional challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, which may have worsened GBV worldwide, UYO has intensified efforts in the fight against GBV.
The UN Women/CERF-funded project in Belo and Batibo has been essential in combating GBV. Men are regarded as perpetrators of GBV in most communities. This may minimize their vulnerabilities and potential to collaborate in the fight against GBV. After a year of awareness raising and capacity building, UYO organized a One Day Intensive GBV workshop with a diverse group of men and boys (Counsellors, traditional youth leaders, footballers, and religious leaders). The Project Manager (Melvin Songwe Shuye) challenged men and boys to play frontline positions in identifying and reporting cases of GBV. These men will serve as He4She advocates in their local communities.
Working in close collaboration with these men and boys, UYO will address multiple forms of GBV like harmful traditional practices (forced or early marriages), marginalization of women, sexual exploitation, and intimate partner violence. This will reduce the devastating effects of GBV like mental health, suicides, social exclusion, disability, poverty, and reproductive consequences.
