Women and Child Watch Initiative (WOCWI), Nigeria

Women and Child Watch Initiative (WOCWI), a not for profit organisation based in Nigeria which works with vulnerable women and children who experience violence, forced marriages, trafficking, HIV and other severe social problems, became an official partner of The Haven Wolverhampton in October 2011.

Domestic violence in Nigeria is neither against the law, nor do the victims receive full legal support, as many prefer to stay in abusive relationships than leave and face the ridicule of living outside wedlock. There is no government or charitable funding in Nigeria to support this area of work and raise awareness.
The Haven has hosted visitors from WOCWI through the Commonwealth Fellowship Programme since 2010. The aims and objectives of the Commonwealth Fellowship among others include:

Through the Commonwealth Fellowship programme visitors from Nigeria have had the opportunity to meet visit The Haven Wolverhampton and work alongside staff and volunteers supporting refuge provision as well as other services including Community Advocacy Support, Counselling, Benefits & Immigration Support, Financial Inclusion, Resettlement, Fundraising and Publicity. Visitors are also given the opportunity to meet with other external support providers in the City in order to gain an insight into how Domestic Violence support services are delivered in the UK.

The Haven has so far hosted 2 Commonwealth Fellowship programmes in partnership with WOCWI.

In September 2010 Barrister Biola Ruth Adimula and Chief Nursing Officer Deborah Afolabi who work on behalf of WOCWI visited The Haven. During their time in Wolverhampton Ruth and Deborah Biola hoped to acquire knowledge in order to strengthen counselling services for victims of Domestic Violence in Nigeria, taking inspiration from the Haven, and extending their services to incorporate a 24 hour telephone service. Other areas of development included defending the rights of victims, supporting pressure groups on advocating the passing of law against Domestic Violence, organising training programmes for Women Lawyers in Nigeria to strengthen their support for women experiencing Domestic Violence and  engaging the victims awareness training. Download the evaluation report of the Commonwealth Professional Fellow's Programme at The Haven Wolverhampton 2010 written by Biola Adimula here

In September 2011 Oluwatoyin Opawoye (Nursing Officer), Benjamin Adekunle Okeowo (Journalist) and Edetan Olanike Folashade (Scientist) visited The Haven as part of the second Commonwealth Fellowship Programme visit in conjunction with WOCWI. As well as meeting with Haven staff and external service providers, our visitors also had the opportunity to meet The Haven’s Daphne Project partners. Download the evaluation report of the Commonwealth Professional Fellow's Programme 2011 written by Edetan Olanike Folashade here

It has been a privilege to offer placements under the Commonwealth Fellowship to these incredible individuals from Nigeria. Women and Child Watch Initiative work with some of the most vulnerable women and children in Quara State, Nigeria.  We are delighted to offer a formal partnership arrangement with WOCWI and look forward to sharing best practice in order to help this inspiration organisation successfully achieve its aims and objectives.