Community Engagement and Sensitization Forum Strengthens Protection Awareness.
On 2 December 2025, the Women, Children and Youth Initiative (WCAYI) successfully Participated and facilitated a Community Engagement and Sensitization meeting, bringing together 250 community members from refugee and host communities. The forum provided a vital platform to strengthen awareness on protection, safeguarding, and community accountability, demonstrating strong community commitment despite ongoing funding constraints.
The event brought together community leaders, women, youth, caregivers, and volunteers to openly discuss protection risks and practical solutions for creating safer environments for women, children, and youth.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response
A central focus of the forum was Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention. Participants engaged in guided and participatory discussions exploring the root causes, consequences, and prevention strategies of GBV, with a strong emphasis on respectful relationships, shared responsibility, and early intervention including timely reporting of GBV incidents.
The sessions aimed to challenge harmful social norms and promote positive behavior change within households and across the wider community, reinforcing collective accountability for the safety and dignity of women, children, and youth.
As a result of the discussions, participants demonstrated increased awareness of GBV risks and prevention mechanisms, with many acknowledging the importance of speaking out, reporting incidents, and supporting survivors. Women and youth participants expressed feeling more confident to seek help and engage in community-led prevention efforts, while community leaders committed to promoting zero tolerance for GBV and supporting referral pathways.
Participant’s feedback highlighted the value of the forum as a safe space for open dialogue, with one participant noting that the session helped them “understand how everyday behaviors can either fuel or prevent violence in our homes and community.” Overall, the forum contributed to positive shifts in attitudes, reinforced community accountability, and strengthened local commitment to preventing GBV and protecting women, children, and youth.
.Strengthening Child Protection Knowledge
The forum also strengthened community understanding of child protection, with a strong emphasis on referral pathways and reporting mechanisms. Participants enhanced their ability to identify early warning signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and gained clear guidance on how and where to report concerns safely and confidentially.
Some of the Participants shared that the session clarified their responsibilities in safeguarding children. One caregiver noted, “Before this forum, I was not sure what to do if I suspected abuse. Now I know where to report and that I must act early to protect the child.” A youth participant added, “We learned how to notice when a child is being neglected and that reporting is not betrayal, but protection.”
Clear information was provided on available services, community protection structures, and formal referral channels, reinforcing the importance of timely referrals. Community leaders and volunteers cited increased confidence in engaging referral mechanisms, with one leader stating, “This knowledge helps us respond quickly and correctly, instead of waiting until harm becomes severe.” Overall, the forum contributed to improved community vigilance, accountability, and collective responsibility for children’s safety and well-being.
Raising Awareness on Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
Another key component of the forum focused on Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). Community members were sensitized on their right to access services safely, respectfully, and with dignity, and on the zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian actors and community representatives.
Participants received clear information on confidential and safe reporting mechanisms, including where and how to report concerns without fear of retaliation. As a result, participants reported increased awareness of their rights and available complaint channels, reinforcing trust and accountability between communities and service providers. One participant shared, “Now we know that no one has the right to ask for favors in exchange for services, and that we can report such behavior safely.”
Community leaders and volunteers emphasized that the session strengthened their role in promoting ethical conduct and community vigilance, with another participant noting, “Understanding PSEA helps us protect our people and hold service providers accountable.” Overall, the session contributed to improved community confidence, transparency, and protection in service delivery.
Strong Community Engagement Despite Funding Challenges
The active participation of 250 community members demonstrated a strong demand for protection information and dialogue, even in the context of limited funding and resources. Despite these constraints, participants actively asked questions, shared experiences, and proposed practical solutions, directly contributing to the strengthening of community-led protection mechanisms. Their engagement increased awareness of protection risks, reporting channels, and referral pathways, while reinforcing collective ownership and accountability, ensuring that women, children, and youth remain at the center of sustainable, community-driven protection efforts.
Early Results
- Improved Child Protection Response: Following the forum, community volunteers reported increased confidence in identifying and referring child protection cases, leading to quicker responses and support.
- Youth Engagement: Several young participants committed to forming peer awareness groups to continue sharing protection messages within their zones.
- Women’s Leadership: Women participants expressed increased confidence to speak out against GBV and support survivors within their communities.
The Way Forward
The success of the forum underscores the importance of continuous community engagement, sustained awareness-raising, and strengthened partnerships. We remain committed to mobilizing resources, expanding outreach, and working closely with community structures to maintain momentum.
By equipping communities with knowledge, practical tools, and safe reporting mechanisms, We continue to support the creation of safer, more protective, and more accountable environments for women, children, and youth including older persons in Palorinya Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities.