SayPro, in partnership with the United States Peace Corps, is committed to empowering local communities to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) through education, awareness, and support services. SayPro believes that ending GBV requires culturally sensitive interventions rooted in community ownership. Together with Peace Corps volunteers, SayPro is organizing workshops, street theatre, and school programs to educate people about gender rights, respectful relationships, and support mechanisms. SayPro includes men and boys in all discussions to foster inclusive responsibility. By training community leaders and youth ambassadors, SayPro ensures sustainable advocacy. Additionally, SayPro provides safe spaces for survivors and supports community-run helplines. Through this grassroots approach, SayPro is shifting harmful social norms and equipping communities with tools to protect women and girls. This initiative reflects SayPro’s broader mission of building safe, equitable societies through education and empowerment, especially in areas where formal systems are limited.
SayPro emphasizes survivor-centered support by working with local health centers, legal professionals, and shelters to ensure a coordinated response to GBV. With Peace Corps support, SayPro has developed referral pathways and resource guides to connect victims with medical, psychological, and legal aid. These guides are translated into local languages and distributed through schools, clinics, and community centers. SayPro also partners with women’s organizations to train peer counselors and survivor advocates within villages. SayPro integrates trauma-informed care principles into all services to ensure dignity and confidentiality. Community leaders are trained to recognize early warning signs and prevent escalation. SayPro ensures these resources are accessible in both rural and urban areas, targeting especially those with limited infrastructure. By investing in long-term capacity building and collaboration, SayPro is creating safer environments where victims are supported, and communities take collective responsibility for change. This holistic approach is fundamental to SayPro’s mission of social justice.
SayPro supports the implementation of local policies and legislation aimed at preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable populations. In coordination with Peace Corps, SayPro conducts advocacy training for local leaders to raise awareness on policy gaps and mobilize community action. SayPro helps draft community charters that prioritize women’s safety and equality, ensuring alignment with national laws. These charters often include commitments to build lighting in public areas, establish safe reporting spaces, and support female leadership. SayPro also organizes public forums where residents can engage directly with officials and law enforcement to hold institutions accountable. As a result, communities become more proactive in GBV prevention rather than reactive. Peace Corps volunteers play a key role in facilitating dialogues and bridging trust between citizens and authorities. SayPro views community ownership of anti-GBV efforts as essential for long-term change. Through advocacy and engagement, SayPro turns awareness into concrete action.
SayPro ensures that youth are central to its GBV prevention strategy, believing that long-term change begins with the next generation. Working with Peace Corps educators, SayPro has launched youth clubs, mentorship programs, and peer education campaigns focused on gender equality and respect. SayPro’s curriculum includes topics like consent, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution. These programs help youth build empathy and challenge harmful behaviors early. SayPro also promotes creative expression through art, music, and drama to engage youth in conversations about GBV. Through digital platforms, SayPro reaches even more young people with interactive lessons and real-life stories of resilience. As youth take on advocacy roles, they become changemakers in their schools and communities. SayPro’s vision is a future where every young person grows up in a culture that rejects violence and embraces equality. This youth-centered approach, powered by local partnerships, drives SayPro’s sustainable impact.