Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) have launched a major safeguarding capacity-building programme for civil society organisations in Northern Nigeria aimed at preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH).
The three-day training, organised under the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) Nigeria programme, brought together representatives of 12 civil society organisations working in humanitarian and development settings.
Speaking on Thursday at the event in Abuja, Executive Director of WRAHP, Mrs. Bose Ironsi, said the initiative seeks to strengthen safeguarding policies, improve organisational accountability and create safer environments for vulnerable populations.
“When communities feel safe with the organisations that serve them, trust is built and meaningful progress becomes possible,” she said.
Ironsi noted that safeguarding extends beyond sexual abuse and includes bullying, coercion, intimidation and other forms of misconduct that can undermine community trust and organisational effectiveness.
She emphasised that Nigeria’s social and cultural realities make safeguarding particularly important, especially in contexts where power imbalances exist.
FCDO Nigeria Social Development Adviser, Ms. Dooshima Orjime, described civil society organisations as critical frontline actors in protecting vulnerable populations.
“When CSOs have the right capacity, they are better positioned to promote community-led safety initiatives that uphold dignity and rights,” she said.
WRAHP Safeguarding Technical Adviser, Mrs. Janet Abazie, stressed the importance of implementing safeguarding frameworks beyond policy documentation.
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Otamere Gladness 
Korede Abdullah 