In a powerful move aimed at dismantling deeply rooted harmful traditional practices and systemic gender-based violence, the Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) has officially launched the Strengthening Community Accountability For Gender Equality (SAFE) Project. The ambitious two-year initiative seeks to challenge the long-standing drivers of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), particularly as they affect women and girls with disabilities in communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State.
The inception and stakeholders’ consultative meeting held on April 15th and 16th, 2025, in Abuja brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from communities, law enforcement agencies, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society, and the media. The atmosphere was charged with purpose as DRAC officially unveiled its blueprint to effect lasting change by addressing the structural and cultural roots of gender-based violence.
Tackling SGBV from the Ground Up
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Irene Patrick-Ogbogu, Executive Director of DRAC, emphasized that the SAFE Project is about giving power back to the people—especially community leaders—so they can identify and address harmful traditional practices within their own environments.
“We want to see empowered traditional, youth, and women leaders who will boldly address SGBV wherever they see it. Our aim is to tackle the drivers of stigmatization, discrimination, and violence at the grassroots level,” she told The Qualitative Magazine.
Dr. Patrick-Ogbogu explained that the outcomes from the consultative meeting will be used to develop practical toolkits and training manuals, which will guide community-level interventions throughout the life of the project. According to her, it’s not just about ending harmful practices, but replacing them with culturally sensitive, harmless alternatives that uphold human dignity without disrupting cultural identity.
“We’re not here to erase people’s culture. We’re here to support communities to evolve by embracing practices that protect, not harm,” she added.
Triple Threat of Discrimination
Delivering an overview of the SAFE Project, Balqis Amoo, DRAC’s Program Officer, shed light on the grave risks faced by Women and Girls with Disabilities (WGWD) in Nigeria. According to her, these individuals suffer a triple burden—gender, disability, and socio-cultural discrimination—which makes them at least three times more likely to experience SGBV than women without disabilities.
She referenced DRAC’s 2018 study which revealed disturbing patterns of abuse: from emotional abuse and abandonment to forced marriages, female genital mutilation (FGM), intimate partner violence, and marital rape. These violations, she said, are deeply rooted in unequal power dynamics and cultural norms that prioritize male dominance and view women—especially those with disabilities—as inferior.
“The SAFE Project is designed to target these harmful norms head-on by engaging traditional and religious leaders, who are best positioned to shift community attitudes and beliefs,” she explained.
Piloting in Kuje and Karu
The project will be piloted in two key locations: Kuje in the FCT and Karu in Nasarawa State. These areas were selected based on the prevalence of harmful practices and the readiness of community structures to engage with the intervention.
The long-term goal? To transform social norms, behaviors, and attitudes to protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities and build inclusive, safe communities where their voices are heard and respected.
Capacity Building and Advocacy at the Core
One of the key components of the SAFE Project is capacity building. Community leaders will undergo training on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), human rights, access to justice, and community-led responses to SGBV. The goal is to improve their ability to act as first responders and advocates for survivors of violence within their communities.
By equipping leaders with knowledge and tools, DRAC hopes to foster a new generation of changemakers who can challenge age-old practices that harm women and girls and replace them with approaches that uphold dignity, respect, and inclusion.
A Community United for Change
The consultative meeting also featured an engaging presentation by Chukwuanu Okoli, DRAC’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer, who conducted a Context Analysis on harmful traditional and socio-cultural practices in the FCT. His findings highlighted practices such as early marriage, forced widowhood rites, and denial of inheritance rights—all of which perpetuate inequality and violence.
Another highlight was an intensive session led by Chibogu Obinwa, a gender and social inclusion expert, who took participants through the fundamentals of SGBV, disability rights, and human rights-based approaches to community engagement. Through interactive group work, participants identified harmful cultural norms and brainstormed practical, culturally relevant alternatives.
A Symbolic Launch and a Promise for the Future
The meeting reached a climax with the symbolic cutting of the ribbon to officially launch the SAFE Project. The ceremony was performed by Mal Zakai, the Chief of Ado Community, who pledged his community’s support and cooperation in ensuring the project’s success.
In a bid to ensure sustainability and community ownership, DRAC also announced the formation of a Project Advisory Committee comprising selected stakeholders. This committee will oversee implementation, provide feedback, and act as a liaison between DRAC and local communities.
Towards a Safer, Inclusive Society
With this launch, DRAC has reaffirmed its commitment to leaving no one behind, particularly the most marginalized. The SAFE Project is not just another intervention—it is a movement to redefine gender equality, protect human rights, and build community-led accountability systems that will outlive the project’s duration.
As the pilot begins in Kuje and Karu, hopes are high that the model can be replicated across other states, igniting a nationwide transformation in how communities confront SGBV—especially as it affects women and girls with disabilities.
With bold steps, inclusive strategies, and unwavering community engagement, the SAFE Project is setting a new standard for addressing one of society’s most urgent and complex challenges.
