Our approach
To effectively respond to the community issues, COFCAWE developed a theory of change to guide the operationalization of its strategy. The envisaged theory of change puts forward six approaches of awareness raising, active participation of the beneficiaries, networking and advocacy, economic empowerment, peer group formation and capacity building. These approaches enable COFCAWE make four strategic responses:
- Conduct advocacy campaigns against gender inequalities
- Enhance economic empowerment of teenage mothers
- Strengthen COFCAWE’s capacity to operate effectively and efficiently
- Equip in and out of school children with knowledge and skills that will reduce their risk and vulnerability to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) related challenges
Awareness raising
Is a process of communication and sharing information in order to improve mutual understanding as well as mobilising communities to bring about the necessary change in attitudes and behaviour. COFCAWE creates community awareness through training on gender inequalities, HIV/AIDS/STDS prevention
Capacity building
Entails engaging with beneficiaries to enhance their livelihood by supporting them to acquire and retain relevant life skills and knowledge while building their ability to meaningfully reach out to others. COFCAWE employs this approach to equip beneficiaries with knowledge and skills to improve their potential.
Active participation of beneficiaries
This approach is premised on the understanding that people know their problems best and they are therefore a valuable source of solutions to their problems. COFCAWE in this regard involves identified beneficiaries in all aspects during program implementation.
Advocacy and networking
COFCAWE works with Government and development partners for joint planning, coordination and sharing best practices for improved performance. This approach also enables COFCAWE to link beneficiaries to other services for which it may not be able to deliver directly.
Peer group formation
COFCAWE works with the trained beneficiaries to form peer groups for information sharing on gender inequalities, HIV/AIDS/STDS prevention, menstrual management including making re-usable sanitary pads, dangers of teenage pregnancies/early marriages and life skills with the wider community.
Economic empowerment
This is a process of equipping people with knowledge and skills to improve their potential. Through this approach, COFCAWE equips selected teenage mothers with entrepreneur and vocational skills that enable them improve their income to contribute to the well being of their families.