At the Community Centre, selected Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) drawn from all 20 electoral areas participated in an intensive capacity-building programme focused on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), referral pathways, and the guidelines governing the management and disbursement of the District Assembly Common Fund for PWDs (DACF-PWD).
The training equipped participants with practical knowledge on identifying various forms of SGBV, understanding where and how to report cases, and the institutions responsible for providing support and justice. Emphasis was placed on clear referral pathways involving health facilities, the police, social welfare officers, and traditional authorities to ensure timely and appropriate responses to cases.
Participants were also taken through the official guidelines for accessing and managing the DACF-PWD. This demystified the application process, eligibility criteria, approved uses of the fund, and accountability requirements. The session was blunt and practical: the fund is a development tool, not a handout, and must be used strictly for approved livelihood, education, and empowerment purposes. By the end of the programme, PWD representatives were better positioned to advocate for their rights, monitor fund use, and support peers at the community level.
Training of Community Child Protection Team in Batangyili
In a related intervention, the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development organized a training for the Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) in the Batangyili community. The training aimed at strengthening local capacity to prevent, identify, and respond to child protection issues.
Team members were trained on child rights, common forms of child abuse and neglect, early warning signs, documentation of cases, and the correct referral procedures. The role of the CCPT as the first line of defense for children at the community level was reinforced, with emphasis on confidentiality, collaboration with parents and opinion leaders, and prompt engagement with statutory institutions.
Building Stronger Community Protection Systems
These activities reflect the district’s commitment to prevention, empowerment, and accountability. By investing in knowledge and practical skills for PWDs and community child protection actors, the Department is reinforcing grassroots systems that protect the most vulnerable and ensure that social intervention funds are used for their intended purpose.
Strong communities are built when people understand their rights, their responsibilities, and the proper channels for action. These trainings move the district firmly in that direction.
