EVENTS
Celebrating African Women’s Day (AWD) 2026: Community Sensitization on AWD, Women’s Rights and Ending SGBV
On August 7, the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) commemorated African Women’s Day 2026 with a community sensitization on “AWD, Women’s Rights and Understanding and Addressing Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV)” at Aleita Community Hall, Abuja. The engagement brought together participants from Aleita, Pyakasa, and Chika communities, including women, men, youth, traditional leaders, and community representatives.
The sensitization provided a platform to educate participants’ understanding of women’s rights, the different forms and negative impact of SGBV, consent, bodily autonomy, prevention strategies, and available reporting and support pathways. Through interactive discussions, participants reflected on issues such as incest, rape, attempted rape, sexual violence, assault, harassment, exploitation, electoral violence against women, girls and persons with disabilities, and online harassment and abuse, while exploring practical community-led approaches to preventing and responding to violence.
A key highlight of the sensitization was the shared recognition of SGBV as a concern at global, continental, national and community levels, and the urgent need to strengthen grassroots protection mechanisms. Participants noted the importance of having designated community focal persons, accessible referral pathways, responsive institutions, and stronger collaboration between communities and relevant protection and support structures.
The sensitization also provided a platform for meaningful conversations on the role of men, boys, traditional and religious leaders as allies in preventing SGBV. Through stimulating discussions, participants identified practical actions including challenging harmful behaviours and social norms, promoting respect and consent, supporting survivors, and encouraging transparent discussions about women’s rights, balancing martial responsibilities and protection from SGBV.
Discussions further underscored the link between SGBV and women’s meaningful participation in public and political life. Participants examined how violence, intimidation, harassment, and other barriers can limit women and girls from taking part fully in community decision-making and political processes.
The sensitization reinforced that awareness alone is not enough. Sustainable prevention and response to SGBV require community ownership, functional reporting and referral systems, accessible protection services, sustained grassroots advocacy, and responsive institutions. It also demonstrated that engaging men and community leaders as partners is critical to shifting harmful norms and building safer, more inclusive communities.
IRIAD remains committed to advancing the rights, safe spaces, and meaningful inclusion of women, girls and persons with disabilities in all aspects of community development and sustainable development. This commitment will be pursued through sustained grassroots sensitization and advocacy, strengthening community-based protection and referral mechanisms, promoting women’s economic and political participation, advocating for the effective implementation of laws protecting women and girls, and documenting community concerns and needs to inform evidence-based advocacy and policies. Overall, the African Women’s Day 2026 community sensitization programme reaffirmed that knowledge of women’s rights is the foundation for women’s empowerment, dignity, and protection. It also demonstrated that ending SGBV requires collective action from both individuals and institutions.
#AfricanWomensDay2026 #EndSGBV #ProtectWomen #TogetherWeCanEndSGBV #SecureAfricaPresentAndFuture
#RespectAndPromoteSRHR #AfricanWomensRightsMatters #GenderRightsAndJustice
