Critical gender-sensitive support to vulnerable conflict and pandemic-affected households in Nigeria

The project responds to the socioeconomic impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on conflict-affected communities in Northeast Nigeria especially on women and girls. To do so the project will mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the nutrition livelihoods and protection of women and girls by increasing the availability and equitable access to agricultural inputs and nutritious foods empowering women through income-generating activities and agricultural livelihoods and protecting women and girls from increased exploitation risks during fuel collection. Project activities include the provision of training and inputs to men and women on to improve agricultural livelihoods and nutrition as well as supporting economic opportunities for women in cereal fish and eco-stove production facilities. Women-only Village Savings and Loans Groups will be established in communities to encourage business development and savings. Finally women will be provided with eco-friendly fuel resources to reduce exposure to sexual and gender based violence risks associated with fuel collection. This project aims to benefit 28 450 households across Adamawa Borno and Yobe States.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased availability and equitable access to agricultural inputs and diversified and nutritious foods among COVID-19 affected populations; (2) increased economic empowerment of vulnerable women to mitigate adoption of negative coping strategies in response to COVID-19; and (3) mitigated conflict over limited fuel resources exacerbated by COVID-19 and reduced exposure of vulnerable groups especially women and girls to protection risks associated with access to fuel and energy.