Break the Cycle: new project to reduce violence against women and girls with disabilities

Together with Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) (open link in new tab), we’ve launched a new project in Nigeria to reduce violence against women and girls with disabilities by helping them to become more economically independent and to build their confidence and leadership skills.

Women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria are at least twice as likely as nondisabled women to be victims of rape, sexual abuse and intimate partner violence; the more severe the impairments, the higher the risk of abuse. This is due to a variety of reasons, including economic dependency, lack of access to education, negative community attitudes, lack of representation and civil society weaknesses.

Our 3-year Break the Cycle project, funded by the UK government through their UK Aid Direct scheme, aims to support over 700 women and girls with disabilities. Matthew Hanning, CBM UK Director of International Programmes, said:

“Women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria are amongst the most marginalised people. They have so much to contribute but they need to be at the heart of decision-making about their own lives in order to access to employment, education, other services and support. Our new Break the Cycle project, working with our partner the Disability Rights Advocacy Centre, aims to change attitudes and reduce violence against women and girls with disabilities so we are one step closer to a fairer, inclusive world.”

We will be supporting women and girls with disabilities through:

Leadership Training and Mentoring

Women and girls with disabilities will be supported to develop their leadership skills, so that they can take leadership positions in their communities. Those with the potential and interest will be offered advanced training and mentoring, so that they can aim for leadership positions in politics and public services.

Disability and Women’s Movements

Our project will bridge the gap between the disability and women’s movements in Nigeria, working to combine their strengths for the benefit of women and girls with disabilities. We will improve links and communication between them for shared advocacy work and events, such as for International Women’s Day and International Day of People with Disabilities.

Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs)

Women and girls with disabilities will be supported to set up and lead Village Savings and Loan Associations in their communities – a proven approach that supports small groups of people to save together and take small loans from those savings – so that they can start their own businesses and access jobs skills training and work placements. We will also organise trade fairs to showcase their businesses and help them overcome stigma.

Access to Education

We will be carrying out accessibility audits in schools in Nigeria and joining with Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) and women’s groups to ensure that girls with disabilities can access education. Life skills training will also be provided for girls with disabilities aged 10+ to help them understand, and stand up for, their right to education.

Inclusive Communities

Peer support groups will be set up for caregivers of women and girls with disabilities, covering topics such as rights, respect, household decision-making, violence against women and girls and separation of household funds. Male inclusion champions will also be identified in each community and trained to speak at men’s gatherings and change attitudes towards women and girls with disabilities.

Image: Members of Disability Rights Advocacy Centre at the launch of the Break the Cycle programme in Nigeria.