In Nigeria, young people between the ages of 18 to 35 constitute about 28% of the entire population and 51% of the registered voters. However, young people are primarily marginalized from governance and decision-making spaces. According to worsening statistics on low literacy levels, maternal mortality, gender-based violence, economic and financial exclusion, low-income levels, and limited access to land and natural resources, young women face multiple challenges. Furthermore, intersectional feminist analysis shows that discriminatory laws, patriarchy, cultural norms, and gender stereotypes contribute to structural inequalities faced by young women.

Natural disasters intensified by climate change, conflict, and recently COVID-19 pandemic have taken a devastating toll on young women and their ability to cope and transform their livelihoods.

The SPA II Project is a multi-country intervention under a Strategic Partnership Agreement with ActionAid Denmark and Funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) under the project, in line with the project objective and approved work plan for the implementation of the multi- year program of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA II), the Centre for Advocacy, Transparency, and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) has implemented activities across the BAY states in Nigeria at the final two quarters of the year 2022.

CATAI conducted a series of key activities targeting youths and youths’ groups, associations, government agencies, and critical stakeholders in a view to addressing vital underlying issues of governance in creating democratic spaces and climate change within the BAY state. Further activities entail training youth on conflict sensitivity management, conflict resolution, and how they can mainstream conflict sensitivity into programming. They also acquire a deep understanding of human rights-based approaches, mediation, gender sensitivity, and inclusion. Step-down training by various youths was done at the community level to enhance a better understanding of conflict resolution and approaches in the communities.