What Works 2 Inception meeting with Partners

Protection

The inception meeting convened in Mogadishu on February 4th   and 5th, 2024, organized by CISP, marked a pivotal moment in the launch of the FCDO -funded project, "Empowered Communities, Including Boys and Girls to Fight Violence Against Women and Children in and Around Schools." Attended by a diverse group of stakeholders including CISP country representative and field team,   IRC project fund manager, the research consortium from John Hopkins University , implementing partners, WISE (Women Initiative for Society Empowerment), and SWDC (Somali Women Development Centre), local research consultancy representatives, as well as delegates from line ministries such as the Ministry of Women and Human Rights and the Ministry of Education of Galmudug State .

This brought stakeholders together to forge a path towards collaboration and shared vision. The workshop catalyzed dialogue, idea generation, and strategic planning, setting the stage for a groundbreaking initiative that aims to make a tangible impact towards ending violence against women and children in the region. 

The overarching objective of the project, " What Works 2, " is to contribute to the reduction of violence against women, boys, and girls by fostering safer schools and communities. This will be achieved through the transformation of harmful social norms into positive ones that uphold dignity, safety, and equity for women, boys, and girls and their families in Banadir and Galmudug regions of Somalia.  

The inception meeting served to provide a comprehensive overview of the project, validating the findings of the social norms assessment conducted in the target districts, reviewing discussion guides for adults and adolescents, scrutinizing the research component, evaluating project monitoring plans and tools, discussing the readiness of local partners for project implementation, and introducing project consortium members to project compliance standards.

Esteemed speakers and subject matter experts shared insights and experiences, guiding participants towards effective strategies and sustainable solutions to address identified challenges. Collaboration and partnership emerged as central themes during the meeting, with participants recognizing the significance of collective action and leveraging each other's strengths. Working groups were formed, allowing stakeholders to contribute their expertise and insights, thereby fostering an environment of shared ownership and mutual support.

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