RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION PROGRAMME (RDP)

The Research and Documentation Unit of Project Alert is aimed at promoting the use of empirical information in understanding the nature, prevalence and effect of violence against women in the society. It serves as a complementary reliable source of information that will enhance policy decision making in eliminating violence and facilitate effective redress and response in our society.  

Activities under this programme area include: annual print media monitoring and documenting of reported attacks on women and girls; conducting of legal research and general surveys on violence against women/young girls; and documenting of various organizational activities.

Below are activities carried out between 2006-2008:

2008

Male Involvement Journal (Vol. 1,2, & 3)
This is a quarterly journal of the Male Involvement Project, MIP of Project Alert. The project was launched in November 2007, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The journal is meant to keep members of the public in general, and stakeholders in particular, informed of all activities being carried out under the project; and activities by other organizations focusing on involving men and boys. Outside contributions to the journal, are welcomed 

Beacon of Hope: Women’s Human Rights Cases
Published in July 2008, by Project Alert on Violence Against Women, and edited by Mrs Funmi Quadri, a lawyer and publisher of law books, Beacon of Hope is a compilation of some judgments given on women’s human rights cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and other superior courts of record.

2007

Male Involvement in Eliminating Violence Against Women
Published in March 2007, this is a report of the first set of consultative forums on the role of men in eliminating violence against women/young girls in Ebonyi State. Organized by Project Alert, it was sequel to the passage of the domestic violence law in the state. The forums took place in the three senatorial zones in the state - Abakaliki, Onueke and Afikpo. The aim of the forum was to sensitize participants especially men on the existence of the law on Domestic Violence that was recently passed by the state house of assembly.

Report of Partnership Workshop on Responding to Gender Based Violence in Lagos State
Published in October 2007, the publication is a report of a partnership workshop for state and non-state institutions/ministries/organizations that provide services to abused women/young girls in Lagos State, on responding to reported cases of gender-based violence. Organised in partnership with CLEEN Foundation, the two-day workshop was attended by representatives of the ministries of Women Affairs, Youth Sports and Development (Social Welfare Department); Health; Justice; the Police; NGOs and the media.

2006

Responding to Gender-Based Violence: A Tool Book
This tool book is aimed at addressing the insensitivity and lack of knowledge often displayed by law enforcement officials especially the police when confronted with cases of gender-based violence, especially domestic violence, rape and incest. It also provides a guide to victims, on immediate steps to take after being abused. It is meant to be a daily companion to all those, whose duty it is, to provide one form of service or the other to female victims of violence.

2005

Sophia’s Place: Experiences Running the First Battered Women’s Shelter in Nigeria
This is the report of an evaluation study of the organisation’s shelter project known as Sophia’s Place. The study was conducted in 2004, while the report was published in 2005. The main aim of the evaluation study, was to assess the impact of its services on the lives of its ex-residents, their families, and the society as a whole. The study was also to evaluate the implementation of this perceived “originally western concept of shelter”  in the Nigerian context in general, and Project Alert’s experiences running it.

No Safe Haven. 2004-2005
This is an annual report of attacks on women and young girls in Nigeria. Annually since 2000, Project Alert conducts print monitoring of five newspapers daily, to compile reported cases of abuse of women (physically and sexually). This it compiles, edit, and publishes during the 16 Days of Activism as part of its activities during the period, annually. *(create link to old copies of No Safe Haven)*