It was a day of joy at the Women Skill Acquisition Centre as another set of graduands completed their training in tailoring, catering, hairdressing and craft-making.

The programme, which combines practical vocational training with basic business and financial literacy sessions, is designed to move women from dependency to self-reliance.

Facilitators encouraged the graduands to take advantage of the ACP micro-credit scheme to kick-start their enterprises, while family members and community leaders witnessed the ceremony.

Ajegunle Community Project is joining partners worldwide for the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

This year’s activities include community awareness walks, street drama performances in marketplaces, counselling clinics and enlightenment talks in schools and churches across the Ajeromi-Ifelodun area.

The campaign calls on every resident of Ajegunle to speak out against violence and to support survivors rather than stigmatise them.

As part of its Democracy and Governance thematic area, ACP conducted a series of civic and voters’ education sessions for grassroots women.

The sessions demystified the voting process and encouraged women to participate fully — as voters, as poll observers and as candidates.

Participants also received simple illustrated guides produced by the Research & Documentation Department.

The Legal Department has expanded its free legal aid clinic to serve more women who cannot afford legal representation.

Services include counselling on inheritance and property rights, domestic violence protection, child welfare and mediation of family disputes.

Complex cases are referred to partner organisations and pro-bono lawyers within ACP’s referral network.

ACP’s street drama troupe performed to hundreds of residents across Ajegunle, using theatre to open conversations on gender-based violence, child abuse and HIV/AIDS stigmatisation.

Each performance is followed by an open discussion where counsellors and legal volunteers answer questions and take reports.

The troupe’s performances are written and staged by community members — many of them beneficiaries of ACP programmes.

The Youth Department held a peer-education training for young people drawn from schools, churches and youth groups across Ajegunle.

Participants were equipped with knowledge and communication skills to pass accurate information to their peers on HIV/AIDS prevention, gender respect and civic responsibility.

Each trainee will lead small-group sessions in their school or community over the coming months, with mentoring support from ACP staff.