The Sisters Helping Hand (ASSH) Foundation has initiated monthly therapy sessions to aid survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Bauchi. Program Manager Kingsley Yalling highlighted this during an interview as part of the Baobab fellowship project, emphasizing the goal of facilitating the proper reintegration of survivors into communities.

The therapy sessions, conducted by experts from the foundation and local communities, aim to expedite the healing process for survivors, their families, and communities affected by SGBV trauma. Commencing in 2020, the monthly sessions have successfully aided 78 survivors across the state. Yalling emphasized that survivors are not discharged until they are completely healed, and the foundation empowers them post-trauma.

In addition to therapy, ASSH Foundation establishes community peace groups to support survivors and report SGBV cases to relevant authorities. This holistic approach addresses the immediate needs of survivors while fostering community involvement in preventing future incidents.

Amina Garuba, Executive Director of the Ikra Foundation for Women and Youth Development Initiative (IFWYDI), reported reaching 10,000 stakeholders with advocacy messages on SGBV in Bauchi. Awareness programs, conducted across selected local government councils, aimed to deliver crucial messages against gender violations and emphasize the importance of protecting survivors from stigmatization and discrimination.

Garuba stressed the need for survivors to be accepted, reintegrated, and supported, emphasizing that stigmatization could further traumatize victims. The group’s extensive sensitization efforts between October and November 2023 aim to create an environment conducive to the easy reintegration of survivors into society.

In summary, ASSH Foundation’s innovative monthly therapy sessions and collaborative community efforts are crucial steps towards addressing and preventing SGBV in Bauchi, fostering healing, and promoting awareness for a more supportive and inclusive society.