The Welfare for Children and Teenagers Initiative (WECTIN), in partnership with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), on Monday paid a follow-up advocacy visit to Muideen Community in Ilorin to assess the impact of its earlier sensitisation programme on gender-based violence (GBV).
The visit was aimed at evaluating the community’s response to the training previously conducted for community leaders on preventing and addressing gender-based violence. It also provided an opportunity for officials of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund from Abuja to assess the implementation of the programme in the state.
Members of the assessment team from Abuja included Mujidat Agbabiaka Sholeye, Zainab Yahaya Tanko, Oluwatoyin Olayemi, and Adoh Innocent.
Addressing members of the Muideen Community during the visit, the team’s representative, Mujidat Agbabiaka Sholeye, stated that the Nigerian Women Trust Fund remains committed to amplifying women’s voices and promoting gender equality across Nigeria.
According to her, the organisation partners with individuals, civil society organisations, and development partners to empower women, conduct research, implement interventions, and advocate policy reforms that advance gender equality and inclusive governance.
Sholeye explained that the NWTF was established to ensure that women’s voices are heard and that they are given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to societal development.
She also commended WECTIN for its efforts in strengthening child protection and promoting safer communities through advocacy and training programmes in Kwara State.
She further encouraged community members to promptly report cases of violence to the appropriate authorities to ensure timely intervention and justice for victims.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Executive Director of WECTIN, Mrs. Carolina Ojo, appreciated the team from Abuja for joining the advocacy visit and conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the programme.
She also commended members of the Muideen Community for their active participation and warm reception during the earlier training conducted for community leaders.
Ojo urged the community to apply the knowledge gained from the training in order to help build a society free from gender-based violence.
Also speaking, the Programme Accounts Officer, Mr. Stephen Ojo, thanked the visiting team and highlighted WECTIN’s commitment to safeguarding children and teenagers through education, advocacy, and direct support.
He explained that the organisation works to combat gender-based violence in local communities by equipping them with the knowledge to identify, prevent, and report cases of abuse.
According to him, WECTIN also promotes safer and gender-sensitive learning environments while engaging in other health and community-based interventions.
He added that the organisation collaborates with partners such as the Nigerian Women Trust Fund to support training programmes and advocacy initiatives aimed at preventing gender-based violence.
He also called for increased funding support from the Nigerian Women Trust Fund to enable the organisation to reach more beneficiaries.
Speaking on the purpose of the advocacy visit, Miss Ifeoluwa Adefila said the team was in the community to follow up on the earlier sensitisation programme and assess how residents have been responding to the awareness campaign on gender-based violence.
She encouraged community members to continue spreading the message and to ensure that cases of violence are reported.
In their response, members of the Muideen Community expressed appreciation to WECTIN and its partners for the sensitisation programme, promising to make good use of the knowledge gained and to share it with others in the community.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed E. Yusuf, prayed for the success of the programme and commended the organisations for their continued efforts in promoting peace and safety in society.
