Summary of needs
Humanitarian needs related to gender-based violence (GBV) are critical, driven by the ongoing conflict, displacement, floods and the erosion of community structures. Women, girls and other vulnerable groups face heightened risks of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and harmful practices. Displacement has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, creating gaps in access to GBV case management services, and livelihood, psychosocial support and legal assistance. The lack of safe spaces, inadequate referral mechanisms, and a strained health infrastructure further contribute to the challenges faced by GBV survivors.
Response strategy
The GBV AoR in north-east Nigeria aims to address these needs through a multifaceted response strategy that emphasizes prevention, protection and service delivery. The strategy prioritizes the establishment and scaling-up of safe spaces for women and girls, enhancing access to comprehensive case management, and improving health-care services, including the clinical management of rape. Capacity-building for local partners and front-line responders is central to ensuring a coordinated and survivor-centred approach. Strengthening referral pathways and promoting community-based protection mechanisms are also key pillars of the response.
Time-critical actions to be undertaken by the GBV AoR will include scaling up access to multisectoral GBV prevention and response services, including cash and voucher assistance for GBV case management, provision of dignity kits, community sensitization and capacity-building. The AoR will also implement GBV risk mitigation and PSEA measures for women and girls in LGAs with the severest needs, including those in areas of return and in hard-to-reach locations.
The GBV AoR will work with partners and sectors to coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate essential actions for the prevention and mitigation of gender- based violence, as per the agreed GBV mainstreaming framework and workplan, including for those affected by the cyclical floods, cholera outbreaks, food insecurity and malnutrition.
Targeting & prioritization
The GBV AoR will target population groups, states and LGAs with the severest needs, as informed by the JIAF severity model and scale used by the protection sector during the Humanitarian Needs Overview process. The AOR aims to target 1.1 million individuals with critical GBV needs. This target includes 356,000 IDPs, 515,000 host community members and 228,000 returnees. Within this population, the response will focus on 471,000 girls, 189,000 boys, 305,000 women and 136,000 men, including 45,000 people with disabilities.
GBV AoR partners will concentrate their efforts in communities across 39 LGAs within the BAY states: 16 LGAs in Borno, 10 in Adamawa and 13 in Yobe. Targeted LGAs are those where protection and GBV needs are classified as severity levels 3 and 4. This targeting strategy aligns with the capacity of the GBV AoR to deliver comprehensive GBV support in these areas.
Promoting accountable, quality & inclusive programming
The GBV AoR enhances accountability by ensuring that programming is survivor-centred, with meaningful participation from affected populations. This includes regular feedback mechanisms to ensure services meet the needs of women and girls, as well as a focus on strengthening complaint and referral systems. Quality programming is promoted through adherence to international standards, such as the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies. Inclusive approaches prioritize marginalized groups, ensuring that persons with disabilities, older women and other at-risk populations can access services without barriers, fostering an environment of dignity and respect.