Agency for Peace & Inclusive Development-APID

APID and its partners conducted a four-day community sensitization campaign across the project corridor to strengthen awareness on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), and child safeguarding. The sessions highlighted growing risks linked to construction activities, economic hardship, and social vulnerabilities affecting women, youth, and children. Encouragingly, participants demonstrated improved understanding of protection issues through interactive discussions and community engagement. The initiative also emphasized the importance of survivor-centered reporting systems, child protection measures, and continued collaboration between communities, contractors, and stakeholders to promote safe, inclusive, and accountable project environments while addressing underlying social and economic challenges.

APID and its partners conducted GBV/SEA toolbox sessions at Lafaley and Wargadud Camps in the month of February, strengthening worker awareness on prevention, reporting mechanisms, and survivor-centred response. Through discussions and practical exercises, participants gained skills to identify risks and respond appropriately. At Lafaley, 90 workers, security staff, and the Labour Committee met following an incident where 30 workers were assaulted.

The sessions strengthened safeguarding awareness, accountability, and collective responsibility for protecting workers and vulnerable community members, reinforcing a strict zero-tolerance policy on violence, while affected workers received psychosocial support. Child protection and legal frameworks on child labour were also highlighted to promote safer work environments