In communities across the North West Region where conflict has weakened social structures, disrupted services and heightened vulnerabilities, survivors of gender-based violence often struggle to access the support they need.
To address this challenge, the Community Women Peacebuilders Network (COWOPNET), a flagship network of the Centre for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development (CAGEAD), has trained 30 Community Peace Ambassadors from Mezam, Momo and Boyo Divisions to become frontline defenders against gender-based violence (GBV) and champions of community peacebuilding.
The three-day training on conflict resolution mechanisms, gender-based violence prevention and survivor protection forms part of a broader project aimed at reinforcing conflict resolution mechanisms and strengthening GBV prevention and protection for survivors in crisis-affected communities across the North West Region.
Over the course of the training, participants examined the realities of conflict-related gender-based violence, explored survivor-centred response approaches, learned strategies for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, and developed practical skills in case management, mediation, referral pathways and community sensitisation.
For CAGEAD and its community peacebuilding network, COWOPNET, the training represents the next phase of a long-term effort to localise the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in conflict-affected communities.
According to Andiensa Clotilda Waah, Chief Executive Officer of CAGEAD and vision bearer of COWOPNET, the initiative builds on work carried out in previous years to strengthen community understanding of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) and the role of women in peacebuilding and protection.
"The Women, Peace and Security agenda is central to the work we do at CAGEAD and we have been working on it since the beginning of the crisis," she said.
"Last year, we trained Community Peace Ambassadors across six divisions in the North West Region on participation, prevention, protection, relief and recovery under the Women, Peace and Security framework. This year, we are focusing specifically on conflict-related gender-based violence and how communities can respond to it."
Clotida Waah said the current training reflects a deliberate shift from awareness creation to practical action.
"We are moving from theory to practice. Community Peace Ambassadors are learning how to identify survivors, engage with them appropriately and make referrals to organisations and institutions that can provide support."
She noted that strengthening referral pathways is critical to ensuring that survivors receive timely assistance and are encouraged to seek help.
"When people understand how to identify survivors, how to talk with them and how to connect them to services, more survivors will come forward, report cases and receive the support they need."
Reflecting on the progress made during the training, She expressed satisfaction with both the quality of facilitation and the level of engagement demonstrated by participants.
"The engagement has been wonderful. Participants were able to identify forms of conflict-related gender-based violence that are specific to their communities and work through practical scenarios on how to address them."
According to her, the service-mapping exercises and survivor-centred response sessions equipped participants with concrete strategies that they can immediately apply in their communities.
"The participation was top-notch. The facilitators are experts and the participants remained fully engaged throughout. From their contributions and the questions they asked, it is clear they understand the issues and are ready to return to their communities to sensitise the population, identify survivors and ensure they receive the services they need through survivor-centred referrals."
The programme was designed not only to increase knowledge but to strengthen community-based systems capable of identifying survivors early, preventing further harm and ensuring timely access to support services.
Speaking at the close of the training, Lead Facilitator Josephine Nsono said the real impact of the workshop would be measured by what participants do when they return to their communities.
"My expectation after these three days is that Community Peace Ambassadors will intentionally conduct sensitisation activities within their communities so that many more people understand the consequences of gender-based violence," she said.
According to her, participants are now equipped to analyse conflict situations, identify vulnerable individuals and facilitate access to services ranging from healthcare and psychosocial support to protection and safe spaces.
"After identifying and classifying cases, they should be able to use mediation, negotiation and dialogue to address community conflicts while ensuring survivors receive the support they need. Ultimately, we are looking forward to peaceful coexistence within the communities represented here."
Throughout the training, facilitators employed participatory learning methods, practical exercises and role plays to ensure that participants could apply concepts to real-life situations.
For facilitator and GBV expert Maurine Boyo, the results were evident by the end of the workshop.
"There is a marked improvement in the understanding participants have demonstrated over the last three days," she said.
"When we started, we conducted a pre-test to assess their level of understanding. We are ending with a post-test that clearly shows improvement in their knowledge and assimilation of the material."
She noted that participants demonstrated growing confidence through discussions, group exercises and role plays that reflected their understanding of survivor-centred approaches and conflict-sensitive interventions.
"What became clear is that community actors already possess a wealth of experience and knowledge. What they needed were practical tools and guidance to organise that knowledge in a way that can drive advocacy, prevention and positive change within their communities."
A key component of the training focused on the LIVES approach to survivor support, which emphasises listening, inquiring, validating, enhancing safety and supporting survivors through appropriate referrals.
Participants also learned how to map available services within their communities and create referral pathways to ensure survivors can access healthcare, psychosocial support, legal assistance and protection services.
For Reverend Lawrence Fomeyen, a pastor and Community Peace Ambassador, one of the most valuable lessons was learning how to engage survivors with greater empathy and professionalism.
"We have been using some of these tools before, but not in an organised way. This training showed us the proper process and the correct approach," he said.
"We learned that listening is not just about hearing words. It is also about understanding non-verbal communication and creating an environment where survivors feel safe and respected." he added
He added that the training challenged some common practices in pastoral counselling.
"As pastors, we often sit behind a table when talking to survivors. We have learned that removing barriers and sitting at the same level as the survivor helps build trust and creates a safer space for meaningful conversation."
Participants also expressed confidence in their ability to apply the knowledge gained during the training.
Fombah Grace, Peace Club President from Mbengwi in Momo Division, said the workshop had equipped her with practical skills to support survivors and raise awareness in her community.
"We came here empty, but we are going back with knowledge," she said.
"The first thing I will do is sensitise my community and let people know that help is available. I have learned the importance of patience, confidentiality and proper referrals. These are things that will help us support survivors better."
Tamajong Godlove from Bafut in Mezam Division described the training as timely, particularly given the increase in vulnerabilities linked to the ongoing crisis.
"I have learned how to identify cases, how to handle them and where to refer survivors so they can receive appropriate support," he said.
"Gender-based violence has increased because of the crisis, and we all have a responsibility to help reduce it. We are going back ready to sensitise our communities and ensure survivors receive the help they need."
Beyond the training itself, the initiative forms part of a wider effort by COWOPNET-CAGEAD to strengthen grassroots protection systems and promote sustainable peace in conflict-affected communities.
As participants received their certificates and prepared to return to their respective communities, organisers expressed confidence that the newly trained ambassadors would serve as critical links between survivors and support services.
For communities grappling with the effects of conflict, displacement and social fragmentation, the training has certainly produced a cadre of frontline defenders equipped to identify risks, support survivors and contribute to safer, more resilient communities across the North West Region.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
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