NEPWHAN Strengthens Community Capacity on Gender and Human Rights Under the N-THRIP Project
The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) successfully concluded a three-day State-Level Training on Gender and Human Rights (GHR) as part of the Global Fund N-THRIP intervention. The training brought together PLHIV, Key Populations (KP), Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), Support Groups, and community stakeholders to enhance their understanding of human rights principles, strengthen reporting systems, and promote equitable access to HIV services.
The opening session featured participant registration, welcome remarks from the NEPWHAN State Coordinator, and goodwill messages from KP networks, ASWHAN, APYIN, SACA, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Ministry of Justice. The NEPWHAN National Team reviewed the objectives of the GHR component and introduced the N-THRIP project, providing a foundation for the sessions ahead. Day 1 covered core human rights principles—non-discrimination, confidentiality, and informed consent—emphasizing how rights-based approaches protect vulnerable populations and improve service access. Participants also examined common human rights violations in their communities through group discussions and explored legal protections available under the Patients’ Bill of Rights and Nigeria’s Anti-Stigma Act.
Day 2 began with a recap to reinforce learning before moving into sessions on HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Facilitators highlighted the legal responsibilities of service providers and the need for supportive, inclusive environments. A comprehensive module on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) deepened participants’ understanding of the links between GBV and HIV and introduced first-line support techniques including active listening, validation, safety planning, and referral pathways. The day also featured a session on grievance and redress mechanisms, which strengthened participants’ ability to report and escalate rights violations while adhering to the “Do No Harm” principle. A plenary discussion allowed participants to share real-life experiences of rights violations, further grounding the training in community realities.
The final day focused on sustainability and practical application. Participants were introduced to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) framework, which emphasized safeguarding and responsible reporting. This was followed by a session outlining the critical role of Community Rights Advocates (CRAs) in documenting cases and promoting accountability. The GC7 monitoring and evaluation orientation provided participants with the tools and data requirements needed for accurate GHR reporting. Additional sessions covered HIV testing services for presumed pregnant women in non-traditional settings, alongside an overview of NEPWHAN’s work ethics, administrative procedures, and financial guidelines. The training concluded with a post-test and a discussion on next steps to support the integration of GHR principles into ongoing community-level HIV programming.
Overall, the training was highly interactive and impactful, enhancing the capacity of participants to identify, document, and respond to human rights violations, stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence. With strengthened knowledge and skills, trainees are now better positioned to promote justice, dignity, and rights-based HIV services within their communities.
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