Gender Based Violence Ambassadors: building capacities in the community

What this title tells you? I’d start sharing what I understand by capacity building.

I believe is a continuous process that promotes the capacities of local individuals/groups/communities and their abilities to take responsibilities for their own challenges and development.  

With this purpose, 9 volunteers from the local groups (6 women and 3 men), with whom WEFOCO works, have been trained on Gender Based Violence (GBV).

As a part of the capacity building strategy, after the training, the participants had a practice period in which they carried out GBV raising awareness seminars to other groups. I have attended to the seminars as an observant to offer feedback after each session, so that the ambassadors could improve their teaching and facilitating skills.

GBV Seminar

GBV Seminar

GBV Seminar

GBV Seminar

As a result, they have strengthened their knowledge and confidence to share with others and stand as GBV Ambassadors.

GBV Ambassadors

‘Thanks to this training I feel in a higher position than before. Now I know the Kenyan constitution and law, and my rights as a woman. I’m also able to teach others and even people is coming to me to ask for advice, support and solutions related to GBV issues, which I never imagined it would happen’ GBV Ambassador (woman)

'Gender Based Violence is being really a problem in our communities and internationally.  By passing short precise messages, we shall have followers and we may win the entire sub-county of Mumias East and reduce GBV to minimal’ GBV Ambassador (man)

GBV Ambassadors

With this capacity building approach the purpose was to minimize an over-reliance on outside experts as sources of knowledge, resources, and solutions to community GBV issues.

I have seen how the activity has already fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment among the participants and it has encouraged them to envision and take action on the issues.

The Ambassadors are committed to continue carrying out raising awareness activities and other GBV related services voluntarily because they have understood how serious the problem is and they have realized how every action taken can have a great impact. WEFOCO will continue supporting the Ambassadors so that they can reach their full potential and become fully independent.

GBV Ambassadors follow up meeting

 Social change on GBV is a complex issue, we still have a long way to go but every step on the path counts so we celebrate the process and how far we have come!