GBV in emergency programming is one of the pillars of the sector that ensures GBV prevention and response interventions are available and accessible to internally displaced individuals and vulnerable host community members at risk of GBV. To address prevalent GBV risks and develop mitigation measures, CARE promotes the integration of its gender equality framework in all programming areas. It uses a combination of tools and approaches, including gender in emergencies approach, humanitarian principles and standards (including Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse (PSHEA).

Following broad consultations with various stakeholders, including, women and girls, and local government authorities from 10 LGAs CARE identified suitable locations to establish Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces (WGSS). CARE implements Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces (WGSS) as an entry point to provide GBV services. CARE has supported over (5,340 women) and girls to receive specialized services such as GBV case management services, psychosocial support services (games, songs, counselling, and other engaging activities), non-formal education, skills acquisition for adolescent girls such as make-up, knitting to keep the women and girls engaged at the safe spaces. The WGSS is also used by women and girls as a space where they can access information on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and how and where to access support.

CARE implements the Social Analysis and Action (SAA) approach to create platforms for community-led social change by facilitating community dialogues that challenge negative social norms, beliefs, and practices around gender and sexuality.

The SAA approach has been inculcated in all our key programming areas, including Health, GBV and Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods, to identify harmful social and gender norms that hinder the participation of women and girls in project activities. The SSA approach focuses on strengthening staff capacity at an individual level and allows them to reflect on their own biases and beliefs that influence work, enhance comfort with talking about sensitive issues, and build comfort with new perspectives and ideas.

A total of 8,500 community members were reached through SAA dialogue session across all implementation sites in 2023.

CARE’s Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) work focuses on highlighting the existing gender inequalities and pre-existing vulnerabilities as well as sectoral response gaps to bring out the gendered impact of the conflict and recommended actions.

In 2023, CARE conducted two RGAs to firstly, understand the specific vulnerabilities, needs, capacities, and coping strategies of vulnerable populations (IDPs, refugees, returnees and host communities) and the differential impact on women, girls, boys, and men. The second RGA was conducted on power and participation (RGA-P) as a precursor to implementing the Women Lead in Emergencies Approach.

The RGA-P provides a contextualized understanding of the governance structures and gendered power dynamics in the community, the barriers to meaningful participation and leadership for women, and the potential entry points for supporting women through the WLiE approach.

To support recovery and build resilience among IDPs and in host communities, CARE piloted VSLAiE in four (4) wards in the Tarmuwa LGA. In relation to this, CARE formed 13 groups (all female) representing 325 households. CARE and its partners intentionally worked to encourage the participation of women in complementary livelihood and facilitated their linkages with Project Management Committees (PMCs), community members, and leaders.

All 13 participating VSLA groups received training on group governance, such as Group leadership and elections, as well as constitution development and formulating policies/rules for engagement and operating their Social Fund and credit activities.

Over 2,010 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) have been formed, with over 52,000 women members, saving over N151,000 million in 2023.