Sexual and Gender-based Violence (Second Chance)
We aid and support services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence at every stage of conflict-affected communities in Africa, that is, before, during, and after the fighting. The victims are most often women and adolescent girls and boys. Such violence is common now in the Southwest and Northwest region of Cameroon. In Muyuka, for example, armed conflicts, especially where combatants (Nonstate armed groups) mix up with civilian populations. The impact of violence, especially rape, can be disastrous. Injuries, unwanted pregnancies, sexual dysfunction, STIs, and HIV/AIDS are among the physical consequences. Damage to mental health includes anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide.
We understand GBV survivors suffer from economic hardships, family rejection, feelings of guilt, inadequate attention to their births, little respect, and trouble finding their role as teenage moms. The project “A Second Chance” dignifies their process as they learn to get to know themselves differently, ease their transition from girls into mothers, and support their body awareness and knowledge of their human rights as pregnant women and mothers. We will organize a series of workshops to contribute to social transformation through information, livelihood, arts, a playful methodology, yoga and enable girls to live a transformative pregnancy, birth, and empowered motherhood.
Between now – December 2024, “A Second Chance” will meet over 600 young girls (abused pregnant and teen mothers) living in conflict-affected areas. The activities include workshops, cash-based assistance to support essential sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and emergency needs for pregnant teens in labor and host families.
PEP Africa staff is the lead, and Restless Peace Coalition members significantly contributed to this project’s design. PEP AFRICA collaborates with UNFPA, INEOS, and UNHCR to coordinate efforts across sectors with staff involved in protection, security, community, and health services. Implementation is base on their extensive network and relationship with the broader community and local humanitarian actors operational in the target area.