In many conflict-affected communities across the North West Region, survivors of gender-based violence often face the painful reality of knowing where to turn for help can be as difficult as surviving the abuse itself.
Recognising this gap, the Community Women Peacebuilders Network (COWOPNET), the flagship network of the Centre for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development (CAGEAD), is equipping Community Peace Ambassadors with practical skills to become critical links between survivors and life-saving support services.
Day Two of the ongoing training on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms, Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Survivor Protection shifted the focus from understanding violence to building practical systems that help survivors access protection, justice and recovery.
Drawing participants from Mezam, Momo and Boyo Divisions, the workshop explored survivor-centred response mechanisms, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), GBV case management and safe referral pathways within the North West Region.
For COWOPNET and CAGEAD, the objective is to transform Community Peace Ambassadors into trusted community actors capable of identifying survivors, responding appropriately and ensuring that no survivor is left without support.
Speaking at the close of the day two activities, CAGEAD Chief Executive Officer and COWOPNET vision bearer, Andiensa Clotilda Waah, said participants demonstrated a strong understanding of the realities facing their communities and a readiness to respond.
"I think the engagement today has been wonderful. Participants were able to identify the different forms of conflict-related gender-based violence that are happening in their communities and use practical scenarios to examine how they can respond," she said.
"They have gained new strategies on how to approach survivors with the survivor at the centre and ensure that they receive the services they need. Through service mapping, they are identifying the actors and structures that can provide support within their communities."
She noted that the high level of participation and interaction throughout the sessions reflected the determination of participants to become active agents of protection.
"They are ready to sensitise their communities, identify survivors and carry out survivor-centred referrals so that adequate services can be provided."
Lead facilitator Josephine Nsono described the exercise as particularly important in a context where years of conflict have disrupted formal protection systems.
"We understand that within conflict-affected communities many structures have broken down, so we are keen to ensure that participants can identify community-based mechanisms that still provide support to survivors," she explained.
The exercise enabled participants to map referral pathways for legal assistance, psychosocial support, protection services and emergency shelter, while also identifying community institutions that can provide temporary support when formal services are unavailable.
"A survivor who needs access to justice may not find that service immediately within the community, but peace ambassadors should know where and how to connect them to the appropriate institutions at the subdivision or divisional level," Nsono said.
The day's discussions also focused on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly among vulnerable populations seeking humanitarian or social support.
Facilitator Maurine Boyo said participants were encouraged to recognise that survivors can sometimes face further abuse from individuals or institutions expected to help them.
"Survivors may suffer in the hands of service providers who take advantage of their vulnerability. Participants now understand the importance of preventing exploitation and monitoring situations where vulnerable people may be exposed to additional harm," she said.
Another key lesson centred on the role of Community Peace Ambassadors themselves.
Rather than becoming service providers, participants were encouraged to see themselves as facilitators and connectors within a wider support network.
"As peace ambassadors, they are not there as service providers. They are there as facilitators who can provide psychological first aid, help survivors regain stability and connect them to the appropriate services," Boyo explained.
Through role plays, referral exercises and practical case studies, participants developed a clearer understanding of how survivor-centred responses can improve outcomes for survivors while reducing the risk of further trauma.
According to the organisers, the significance of the training lies not only in the knowledge shared but also in the networks being built.
By creating a community-based web of support, COWOPNET-CAGEAD hopes to strengthen local protection mechanisms and ensure that survivors of conflict-related gender-based violence have somewhere to turn when they need help most.
"We created a network of services that gives survivors the assurance that they are not alone and that support exists," Boyo said.
As the training enters its final phase, participants leave Day Two with the tools, connections and confidence needed to become community lifelines for survivors navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
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