Insurgency in the LCB has affected more than 419,000 people in the region of Diffa, Niger of which about 108, 000 are Nigerians refugees 15, 000 are returnees in Niger, 129,000 are internally displaced persons in Niger and some 92 000 are from hosting communities. During this crisis, Niger has to deal with various problems including lack of food, health issues, water and sanitation problems and protection gaps.
In the area of protection, this has resulted to among others, physical and psychological trauma affecting people who have lost their relatives. They are in a situation where traditional protection systems are destroyed and those set up by the Government in response to the crisis are overwhelmed by the multiplicity of problems and the growing demand for social services. In addition, there is an increased in child abuse and violation of women’s rights, resulting in an increased gender based violence (GBV). According to the Niger Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2018, some 361, 986 people are in need of protection and response for GBV.
Against this background, UNFPA and other humanitarian actors have implemented important interventions including (i) setting up of a GBV Sub-Working Group in Diffa, ii ) training of humanitarian and service providers in GBV case management and GBVIMS, (iii) conducting rapid need assessments including risks related to GBV in displaced persons’ sites, (iv) developing a multisector GBV prevention and response SOP and referral pathways, (v) provision of needs based and context specific psychosocial support and medical care to GBV survivors with post-rape kits, dignity kits, (vi) establishing and operationalizing a multifunctional GBV Management Center in the Sayam Refugees Camp, (vii) establishing 10 safe spaces for adolescent girls in displacement sites, (viii) establishing and supporting 22 community GBV advocate groups.
However, despite the various actions undertaken and the results achieved, UNFPA has identified a huge gaps in legal aid for GBV survivors due to lack of trained service providers in the crisis affected regions of the country. As prescribed by the UNFPA Minimum Standards for the Prevention and Response to GBViE, legal services are an essential part of the survivor-centered approach and should be part of a safe, non-stigmatizing multi-sector response to GBV. Legal aid services staffed by appropriately trained personnel should be accessible to GBV survivors and integrated into the general GBV referral system.
It is for this reason that UNFPA Niger Country Office has decided to hire an International Legal-aid Consultant/Trainer to build/strengthen the capacities of national GBV actors and community relay workers to effectively provide a need-based and context specific legal assistance to survivors of Gender Based Violence in the conflict affected regions of Niger.