MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN HUMANITY

WACOL 2006 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

Report Summary

The year 2006 was a productive year for WACOL in which we were able to consolidate our core work and implement a number of short term projects.  It was also a key year as WACOL undertook several projects in preparation for the 2007 elections. Over the year WACOL developed both in terms of the increased amount of activities undertaken and the consolidation of the organisation’s strengths.

Follow-up and sustainability have come to represent the hallmark of WACOL’s work in communities. For WACOL interventions are not one off events. We are convinced that community ownership of programmes can only be sustained in the environment where interventions are backed with the experience of the implementing organization. Our work throughout 2006 has demonstrated this commitment to sustainability and excellence.
 

ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Legal Aid to indigent women is WACOL’s flagship activity which expanded into a national project in 2005. In 2006, our core legal aid activities prospered across WACOL’s offices.Over 1,000 women and children were able to benefit from these services during this year. This was possible due to continued funding from Foundation for Human Rights. The year also saw the implementation of the UNICEF Legal Aid Project. This project provided pro-bono /free legal aid and counselling to children, juveniles and indigent women in conflict with the law and ran a program of integrated assistance for female victims of torture.  

We are keen to disseminate the extensive experience WACOL has gained in the area of gender and the law.  Training has, therefore, over the last few years also become one of WACOL’s strengths. In 2006 WACOL implemented several training programmes including; a three day national training event for police officers on gender based violence and a comprehensive training programme for 50 people to become paralegals in their communities.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE

LEGAL AID:  Reaching the Un-reached

Women are invisible within the legal system in Nigeria, this has necessitated the intervention of organizations such as WACOL to protect and fight for these frequently vulnerable members of society.  Provision of free legal services has remained central in our intervention strategies on behalf of these women.

Throughout 2006 WACOL continued to develop it’s the free legal services offered to indigent women and children.  We were able to do this due to the continued support of the Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights.  The demand for and number of clients seen by this service is constantly increasingly.  This is partially the result of the awareness generated by and impact of previous projects on women’s access to legal aid implemented by WACOL and funded by the same foundation.  This service is well established service with trained and highly dedicated staff.  It is the flagship project for WACOL which operates from 5 locations across the South East; our offices in Enugu, Abuja and Port Harcourt and the community law centres in Anambra and Ebonyi States.  In Enugu alone we were able to provide free legal services to over 1,000 women and children.

ELECTION 2007

In preparation for the upcoming elections WACOL undertook a number of projects to increase women’s political participation as aspirants, campaigners and voters, through training of women at the grassroots.  A project was also undertaken to identify the barriers that female political aspirants face and a seminar on these issues was held in partnership with the Political Science Department at University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus.  It is expected that that the positive outcomes of this project will not be seen in 2007 but in 2011, through the number of women on a cross party basis supported to contest and win elections. 
WOMEN POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OFFICE LAUNCHED

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA) established the  Women Political Empowerment Offices (WPEOs) in six geo- political zones in the country with one for each zone to prepare women for the upcoming 2007 election. WACOL through open bid called by the FMWA got a grant to coordinate and manage the South East Zonal office located in Owerri.  WPEOs will serve as a political resource center and provide much needed support to women running in the 2007 elections. These offices has impressive goals and objectives and although the timing of their establishment is so close to the 2007 general election, we hope to achieve its laudable objectives of increasing the number of women in elective and appointive positions in the government of Nigeria by 2007 and beyond through capacity building, advocacy and technical assistance to women running election. The Owerri Office has been fully set up by WACOL with training facilities and on ground staff. It started full operations in November 2006 and it is still to early to assess its impact.

The key objectives of the project are:

• To enhance women’s access to justice by providing free legal aid, counselling and support services to indigent women.
• To sensitize and create more awareness on women’s human rights.
• To educate and enlighten women on their civic rights and responsibilities.
• To improve the realization of women’s housing and land rights in Nigeria.

The main project beneficiaries are indigent women and children who are victims of human rights abuses.  Young men under the age of 24 with strong cases of human rights abuses are also considered for assistance, as they are also frequently excluded from access to justice.

The success of the new community law centres opened in Amezu, Nkalagu, Ebonyi State on the 28th of July 2005 and Nkwelle Ogidi, Anambra State on 29th of July, 2005 has encouraged us at WACOL to increase access to this service by widening the geographical spread of the service across the country. The continued development of the quality of the service through learning from our considerable experience of legal advice provision and of expanding this service to other locations will be one of our key objectives in 2007.

HEALTH

Reproductive health law and the development of appropriate university curriculum has been a key project for WACOL in 2006.  The significant success of the first phase of the MacArthur Foundation funded project in 2001 -2004 led to this project being extended for a further period of 2006 -2009.  Much progress on developing a curriculum with Nigerian universities that incorporates health law and reproductive health rights has been made in 2006. In 2007, this project will continue to be pushed forward with the universities as full partners to ensure that institutional ownership of this project is fostered. WACOL also undertook a partnership with PATHS, to develop the capacity of CBOs in order that they can demand quality health services from rural health centres.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Sector Capacity Building is an area of work where WACOL is increasingly taking a lead.  As an experienced, well developed Community Organisation we are well placed to offer training advice and assistance to newer and smaller Community Organisations.  In 2006 WACOL received funding from the Heinrich Boll Foundation to assist organisations in the North of Nigeria, who works on issues of gender and women’s rights, to develop their capacity.  WACOL carried out both an exchange programme and training event on organisational development and gender mainstreaming with these organisations.  Through theses activities we were able to increase their strategic planning capacity and knowledge of and competence in advocating on women’s issues.  Capacity building activities within the NGO and community organisation sector is an increasingly important part of our activities which will contribute to a healthy sector which is able to bring about real change for Women’s rights.

Lobbying and publicising activities are a key part of WACOL’s work, as a leading Women’s rights organisation in Nigeria.  Lobbying and networking activities serve to publicise Women’s Rights issues, lead to changes in laws and most importantly changes in attitudes.  In March 2006 as part of GECORN (Gender and Constitutional Reform Network) the Executive Director of WACOL lobbied the South-Eastern Constitutional Review Conference/Public Hearing on amending aspects of the constitution to ensure the constitution is gender inclusive.  On World Aids Day WACOL organised a march past where both issues related HIV/AIDS were highlighted as well as the need for enhanced government funding to combat the spread of the disease. These activities are a key way WACOL works towards its objective of promoting the human rights of women and young people and will continue to be prominent in our work in 2007.

EVENTS

WACOL has taken part in and organised a number of events throughout 2006. All of these events were utilised to publicise Women’s Rights issues and the work of WACOL. The key events organised by WACOL this year include:

• International Women’s Day Celebration workshop on ‘Widows and the denial of their socio-economic rights’;
• Seminar for academics in partnership with the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus and the University of Nigeria Nsukka, on ‘Bride price (Wealth): Its implications for women’s rights in Nigeria’;
• Day of the African Child Art Competition and exhibition on 16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women in partnership with Alliance Francais and Arts Republic.

About WACOL

WACOL stands for WomenAid Collective.  We are independent, non-governmental, non-profit making organisation. The aim of WACOL is to increase legal protection and fight for better choices for abused women and children, facilitate flow of information and experiences between organisations, and develop appropriate Information, Education and Communication materials that will be used in advocacy for human rights, democracy and good governance.

WACOL is committed to promoting human rights of women and young people. It is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a charitable organisation limited by guarantee (No RC 388132) and has an observer status with the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights. At the moment WACOL maintains combined staff strength of forty-five Staff in our six offices in Enugu (Head Office), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Abuja the Federal Capital Territory, Ogidi, Anambra State, Owerri, Imo State and Nkalagu, Ebonyi State.

OUR VISION:  A democratic society free from violence and abuse where Human Rights of all, especially Women and young people are recognized in law and practice.

the educational, social, economic and political development of women and young people through a wide range of services: training, research, advocacy, shelter, legal and financial aid, intra-familial/community conflict resolution, information and library services.

Our Core Values:

1. Empathy
2. Equity
3. Openness
4. Probity
5. Commitment

WACOL Funding

HOW IS WACOL FUNDED

The organization was established for charitable purposes and is therefore dependent on bilateral donors, foundations, public and private donors and other grant making bodies. The initial start- up for establishment of the center was provided by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation through a personal grant to the Executive Director under their funds for Leadership Development. Ever since then WACOL has received funding support from the following organizations/funding bodies: Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights, Stockholm, Office of Transition Initiative (OTI), USAID, Democracy and Governance Section of the US Embassy, United Nations Voluntary Funds for Victims of Torture (Geneva), West Minister Foundation for Democracy, UK, TMG/United Nations Electoral Assistance, Global Rights Partners for Justice, UNICEF, Global Fund For Women, USA, Hesperian Foundation, USA, MacArthur Foundation, National Human Rights Commission, Share Institute, United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), DFID, African Women Development Funds (AWDF), Heinrich Boll Foundation, British High Commission Abuja (Global Opportunity Fund), Security, Justice & Growth (SJG)/DFID, Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS)/DFID, European Union, Royal Netherlands, International Foundation for Education & Self Help (IFESH), National Democratic Institute, UNDP ,  French Embassy, World Bank  amongst others.

The WACOL Family

CONFERMENT OF HONOURS TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WACOL

Our Executive Director, Joy Ezeilo got decorated with numerous awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Peace and nation building in the area of legal scholarship, advocacy, civil society movement and community service, both within and outside Nigeria. Among these are the National honours of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) conferred by Mr. President Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR), President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in December 2006

Empowerment and access

Empowering the Rural Communities through ICT:   WACOL ADEN Centre
In partnership with the French Embassy, Nigeria, WACOL opened an ICT Centre at Mgbowo, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The overarching goal of the project was to bridge the information divide between the rural and urban populace. It is expected that this project will constitute a prototype for the reversal of underdevelopment of the rural communities due to limited or absence of access to appropriate information. Lack ICT of access disproportionately affects women and youths. In order to bridge this gap, WACOL ADEN Centre targets mostly rural women and youths. The centre provides access to ICT and internet facilities to this vulnerable group at subsidized rate.

The centre depends on alternative power supply (generator) as the community has no access to the national power. The centre is managed by a qualified ICT Manager with over twenty years experience in ICT, and an Internet Consultancy firm to ensure quality service. As well as providing internet, printing and photocopying facilities, computer training events targeting women and the secondary schools in and around the host community are held regularly.
 
Empowerment for women victims of conflict

WACOL’s Port Harcourt office undertook training workshops with women whose livelihoods have been disturbed by the conflict in the Delta region.  These workshops were funded by the British High Commission Abuja and were aimed at empowering the women as well as reducing their levels of poverty. 

These training events on Bead Making, Soap and Pomade making where held in the first quarter of 2006; for Odi women, in Bayelsa State, Ogoni in Rivers State and Zaki-biam in Benue State.

WACOL PUBLICATIONS IN 2006

1. Torture and Female Gender

 2. Gender Bias and Advertising in Nigeria.

3. Menace of domestic trafficking.

 4. Civic Education for Persons Seeking Political Office.

5. Law, Reproductive Health and Human Rights

6. Women Reproductive rights Law of Anambra State, Legal Literacy Series 14.

7. Malpractices against Widows and Widowers {Prohibition} Law of Anambra State, Legal Literacy Series 15.

 8. Inhuman treatment of Widows {Prohibition}Law of Edo State, Legal Literacy Series 18.

9. Rivers State Reproductive Health Service Law, Literacy Series 19.

 10. Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation {Prohibition} Law of Edo State 20.

11. Iwu iji kwusi umu agwa omenala n’emegide umunwanyi ndi di ha nwuru-anwu nakwa umunwoke nwunye ha nwuru anwu Na Iwu nyere umunwanyi ikike imu nwa nakwa ihe ndi ozo yiwere ya ulo nzuko ome iwu Anambra State Nigeria, Legal Literacy Series 21.

 12. Law wen go stop all the yeye treatment dem against widows for Edo State, Legal Literacy Series 24.

13. Law wen go stop bad and yeye traditional practice dem and other matter wen concern am for Rivers State Nigeria, Legal Literacy Series 25.

 WOMEN’S AID COLLECTIVE

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31ST DECEMBER 2006
O. I. NNAM  &  CO.
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
ENUGU  ~ NIGERIA.

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS

DIRECTORS:        Joy Ngozi Ezeilo                      Executive Director

                             Clement Nwankwo                                 Director
                             Prof. Bolanle Awe                                      “
                             Prof. C. O. Okonkwo                         “
                             Justice Oby Nwodo                                     “

                             Dr. J. Ugwuanyi                                “

                             Mary Idris Abubakar                                  “

Head Office:         9 Umuezebi Street
                             Upper Chime Avenue
                             New Haven
                             Enugu

Auditors:              O. I.  Nnam & Co.
                             Chartered Accountants
                             8/24 Chime Avenue
                             New Haven
                             P. O. Box 30
                             Enugu

Bankers:              United Bank for Africa PLC
                             1ST Bank of Nigeria PLC
                             CitiBank Nigeria (NIB)
                             Zenith Bank Plc.
                             Standard Chartered Bank

REPORT OF THE AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF WOMEN’S AID COLLECTIVE

We have examined the financial statements of the Women’s Aid Collective prepared under the historical cost convention and on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Financial Statements.

Our audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and accordingly included such other auditing procedures, as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Organization as at 31st December 2006 and of its Income and Expenditure for the year ended on that date.

O. I.  NNAM & CO.
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

ENUGU ~ NIGERIA

11th JUNE 2007.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following are the significant Accounting Policies, which have been adopted by the Organization:

1. Basic of Accounting

The Accounts are prepared under the historical cost basis of accounting.  No adjustments have been made to reflect the impact on the financial statement of specific prices changes or changes in the general level of prices.

1. Income

Income in the year is recognized on cash receipt basis.
3.  Fixed Assets
    Fixed Assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation to the Balance Sheet date.

1. Depreciation

Depreciation charge is calculated at the following annual rates to write off the cost of fixed assets on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets:
Building                  …        5%
    Motor Vehicles            …        20%
    Plant and Machinery       …        10%
    Office Furniture & Equipment   …        20%
5.  Foreign Currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are converted into Naira at the rates of exchange ruling at the time they arise. Balances in foreign currencies are translated in Naira at the exchange rates ruling at the Balance Sheet date.  Gains or Losses arising on transaction, whether realized or unrealized are credited to or charged against income.

WOMEN’S AID COLLECTIVE

CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED   31ST DECEMBER 2006

WOMEN’S AID COLLECTIVE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31ST DECEMBER 2006

GRANTS RECEIVED                                               N