Groups Plan Shelter For Survivors Of Gender–based Violence

Two groups, WonderWoman and BigFamily360, have partnered to raise funds for a permanent shelter for Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) survivors in Adamawa State.

The shelter will not only provide a safe space for survivors of SGBV but also help channel the psycho-social and medical services support they require to take bold steps into their future.

Themed ‘Reimagining Safety: Art & Innovation Against GBV, the fundraiser exhibited 34 artworks by 15 artists, co-curated by Ifesinachi Iwuanyanwu, and is aimed at commemorating the global 16 Days Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

As local non-governmental organisations operating in northern Nigeria, WonderWoman focuses on gender equality advocacy and community development, while BigFamily360 delivers solutions-driven development to communities through technology.

While the latter, through its tech innovation SmartRR app has helped connect 16,000 SGBV female survivors to service providers, and provided over 150,000 people across Nigeria and Africa with awareness creation content on SGBV via Edubeam tech, these solutions do not address situations when SGBV survivors are in dire need of shelter.

Currently, there are 15 shelter spaces for SGBV survivors in Nigeria, unevenly distributed across the six geopolitical zones. Having five shelters in Lagos means most states have none.

“When BigFamily360 reached out to us that this is one of their projects for 2026, and since we are planning to do a lot in the area of SGBV next year, we found it the right cause to partner and to raise awareness about this amongst our partners, government agencies, allies and fellow advocates to help co-fund this project to become a reality,” vice president and trustee of WonderWoman, Anne Dirkling, said.

For Dirkling, a shelter means much more than just a physical space to occupy. It means safety, rest, and an opportunity for survivors to regather themselves and remake their plans for their lives, without worry.

She noted that deploying art as a means of fundraising is not solely for the sales of artworks to raise capital for the project, but also as a powerful tool that adds emotion and stories behind the increasing number of SGBV victims.

On his part, lawyer and filmmaker, Abubakar Marwa, whose short film on the education of Almajiris was screened at the event, said art, and in particular film, is a medium for fostering behavioural change.

For the deputy director, Projects, North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Princess Attica Ajana, catching men at a younger age to become ‘He For She’s’ is crucial. She noted that advocacy tends to focus on grown men, which leaves the younger males ignorant of the importance of protecting and respecting women.

As a donor partner with BigFamily360, Ajana said while NCDC will support the shelter cause handsomely, the commission is also in talks with UN Habitat for the erection of shelters for both SGBV survivors and out-of-school children in 2026.