Empowerment of 22 sex workers with business start-ups in Akwa Ibom

Empowering vulnerable women to achieve their full potentials is key in addressing gender inequalities. Today we empowered 22 Beneficiaries of the President Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported Small Grant Program with Start up trade tools to improve their livelihood.

These Beneficiaries were enrolled into the grants skills empowerment programs for a period of one year and today it was great putting smiles on their faces as they get their start up trade tools kits.

The project Titled “Breaking the Silence and Cycle of Violence Against Sex Workers. (BSCVASW)” in Akwa-Ibom State focused on sensitizing the law enforcement officers on the need and importance of developing an effective, accountable, and transparent institution that promotes access to justice for all irrespective of the persons choice of job, for this will help reduce the level of violations perpetuated against these women in the State. In addition, it will also increase the confidence of our members to report cases of violence without the fear of stigma. We also leveraged on this project to train members of the community as paralegals to support the effort of GWIHR in building the knowledge and understanding of our community members on their fundamental human rights and redress mechanisms.