and Impact of Project August by TAFCOD

By Bem Abubakar

The inception of Project August in 2022 by the unique NGO, The Andino Foundation for Community Development (TAFCOD), was driven by the distinct recognition of the enduring challenges faced by women – both single and married – in realising their full potential, achieving personal growth, and receiving due acknowledgment. The organisation’s mission is reflected in several outreach events, including significant one to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, at the Ikot Obio Akpan Village Town Hall in Nung Ukana, Ibesikpo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, with 93 participants and beneficiaries in attendance. Their first community outreach on September 15, 2023, in Ikot Obio Akpan, Nung Ukana, Ibesikpo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, saw the presence of 120 participants and beneficiaries.

At these outreaches, TAFCOD, the owners of Project August, demonstrated their commitment by distributing essential farm produce and resources. This practical support was aimed at enabling participants to have a good farming season, thereby directly improving their livelihoods. The organisation’s dedication to positively impacting and fostering change in women’s lives was further demonstrated through two other impactful symposiums in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The first event, “Emboldened Voices (See, Listen, Project Her),” focused on “Marriage: Fight or Flight,” with 37 attendees joining the discussion in person and 62 virtual participants. The second symposium, “Maximizing the Woman-Power for Social Justice and Sustainable Development,” saw the participation of 70 in-person participants and 23 virtual participants. To carry out projects effectively, TAFCOD collaborates with various local organisations, government agencies, religious bodies, schools, and community leaders and advocates for policies and initiatives that support gender equality and safeguard the rights and interests of women. Some of the fundamental rights that Project August champions for women and girls include:

• Gender Equality

• Protection from Discrimination

• Empowerment and Autonomy

• Access to Education and Resources

• Social Justice and Sustainable Development

• Women’s Participation and Leadership

• Protection from Gender-Based Violence

• Economic Empowerment

Project August has achieved significant outcomes, empowering over 90 women through the impactful ‘Marriage: Fight or Flight’ symposium. This initiative has enhanced their understanding of healthy relationships and conflict resolution, celebrated women’s achievements, and promoted gender equality through the International Women’s Day symposium. The project has also engaged almost 100 participants, provided essential farming produce and resources, and conducted sensitisation for 120 women in Ikot Obio Akpan, Nung Ukana, Ibesikpo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, thereby supporting their economic empowerment and development. The project’s orientation, education, and empowerment of women have contributed to the social and collective good.

Furthermore, other outcomes of the project are building trust and confidence among women, enabling them to grow and develop themselves and their communities, facilitating interdependence among women, fostering a sense of community and support, advocating for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality and protect women’s rights and interests, collaborating with local organisations, government agencies, religious bodies, schools, and community leaders to drive positive change and promote gender equality. The project has also created a platform for women to share their stories and experiences, amplifying their voices, promoting social justice and sustainable development, and securing men’s active participation and contributions in women-empowermentrelated affairs.

The project’s impact resonates beyond the benefiting communities. The Executive Director of TAFCOD was invited to the United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC), Prince George, BC, to present their project. He took the participants through their actions and the strategies deployed in these communities to achieve SDGs 1 (Poverty reduction) and 5 (Gender Equality).

Project August engages with the local communities and stakeholders through- collaboration, community outreach, symposia, and events. Doing this has, however, not come without its challenges, some of which are general human resistance to change, limited resources and financial constraints, cultural and social barriers, patriarchal systems, unwholesome anti-women cultural practices, women’s restricted access to education and orientation, safety and security concerns, and the surge in gender-based violence. To address these challenges, Project August engages in community sensitisation and education to raise awareness and build support for gender equality, collaborates with local organisations and stakeholders to leverage resources and expertise, develops culturally sensitive and responsive programs that take into account local contexts and traditions, seeks to establish partnerships with government agencies and religious bodies to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality, provides safe spaces and support services for women, including counseling and legal aid.

The Project currently employs a multifaceted approach to support and uplift women, including:

• Community Engagement

• Symposia and Events

• Capacity Building

• Resource Provision

• Empowerment through Interdependence

• Partnerships and Collaborations

• Advocacy and Awareness

By employing these strategies, Project August creates a comprehensive and inclusive approach to supporting and uplifting community women, addressing their immediate needs and systemic issues, and promoting gender equality and social justice. As a result,

TAFCOD measures Project August’s success through the following metrics: participation and engagement, feedback and testimonials, partnership and collaboration, media and social media engagement, financial sustainability, and continuous improvement. They also seek to invest in capacity building and training for staff and community leaders to ensure program sustainability, monitor and evaluate programs regularly, make adjustments and improvements based on feedback and lessons learned, engage in advocacy and awareness-raising activities to challenge patriarchal systems and promote gender equality, leverages technology, and digital platforms to reach and engage women and provide access to information and resources, fosters partnerships with other organisations and stakeholders to amplify impact and leverage resources.

In the coming years, TAFCOD envisions a future where every woman in the community is empowered through a comprehensive approach that includes advocacy, training, and economic stability. By addressing these key areas, TAFCOD aims to equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive and instill a sense of self-worth and confidence. Women can transform society through empowerment, influencing positive change and progress in their immediate families and beyond. By providing women with the tools and resources they need to succeed, TAFCOD remains committed to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for growth and development.