SGI COMMUNITIES
ADVOCACY VISITS
WOMEN COUNSELLED
TEMPORARY SHELTERS
REFERRALS
The Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI) is the flagship project of South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), focused on reducing gender-based violence (GBV) at the community level in Southeast Nigeria. With research showing that 35.7% of women in the region have experienced physical violence and 12% sexual violence, SGI addresses the lack of support structures in rural communities by establishing SGI Chapters—community-based women groups advocating against GBV and offering survivor-centered support through counseling, temporary shelters, and referrals.
Currently implemented in 19 communities across Enugu and Anambra States, each SGI Chapter is led by a ten-member committee including influential women leaders from religious, traditional, political, and economic institutions. The initiative also strengthens the capacity of law enforcement and health officials to respond effectively to GBV and works with traditional leaders to institutionalize community by-laws that protect women. SGI creates sustainable, grassroots-driven systems that promote gender justice and empower women as agents of change.
To reduce gender-based violence (GBV) in rural communities across Southeast Nigeria by establishing and supporting community-based women-led structures that advocate for gender justice, provide immediate survivor-centered support—including counseling, referrals, and temporary shelter—and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement, health workers, and traditional leaders to respond to GBV cases effectively. The project also aims to institutionalize protective community by-laws and increase access to justice and support services for women and girls in underserved areas.
For over a decade, the Sister Guardian Initiative has transformed how rural communities respond to gender-based violence.
This compendium documents 11 years of impact across 38 communities, featuring 454 counselling cases, 45 referrals, 27+ temporary shelters, and 200+ advocacy engagements. Through narrative case studies, hard data, and lessons learned, discover how community-led action is reshaping norms, reforming harmful practices, and restoring dignity to women and girls in Southeast Nigeria.
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