Community engagement on ending violence against women and children in Chad

During these unprecedented times of COVID-19, World Vision celebrated this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by joining forces with community structures to end violence against children and women. Cases of early marriage for girls, and female genital mutilation have increased in our programme coverage areas, therefore calling for synergy to safeguard women and children. 

Women in Tandjile celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women at a meeting with representatives of the groups and complaints mechanism management committee, held at the Tara mini-base. A total of 21 women and two men took part in the meeting. Women were encouraged to help each other, accept each other and unite their voices to denounce cases of abuse. They committed to be active and not passive because rights are often taken away and not given back.  Awareness campaigns by other members of the community continue taking place on the ground to reach all villages. In Mballa, women are working hard on the theme of the year.  

Women engaged were mobilised to know their rights and participate in community development activities. According to Irene, World Vision’s Programme Manager, three years ago, only men were participating in community meetings and project activities. When she asked community leaders where the women were, the response was that there was no expectation for women to attend community meetings. Irene gave them warning that she would no longer implement projects without women and escalated the issue to the community prefect.

Since then, community leaders have sensitised men to allow their spouses to participate in community development activities. Irene brought an official from the ministry of social affairs to engage the women of Tandjile on their rights to express their opinion and to fight gender-based violence. They were able to enrol in savings groups, sewing activities, and other income-generating activities. The engaged community celebrated this day with joy around the great progress achieved.

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By Alfred Mbaingolmem, Interim Communications Coordinator for World Vision in Chad