Mission & Vision
OUR VISION: A democratic society free from violence and abuse where human rights of all, especially Women and young people, are recognised in law and practice.
WACOL was established in 1997 as an independent, non-political, non-governmental and non-profit organization; registered in 2000 as a company limited by guarantee i.e., as a charitable organization (RC: 388132) with the Corporate Affairs of Commission (CAC), Nigeria. WACOL’s vision is a democratic society free from violence and abuse, where human rights of all in particular women and young people are recognized in law and practice.
What we do
Conflict Resolution and Peace talk
What we do
Free Legal Aid
WACOL is considered as the number one legal aid service provider for women and girls in Nigeria providing assistance to about 2,000 on an annual basis with over 4,000 drop-ins yearly. We register an average of 20 cases daily at our legal clinic.
Tamar Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (Tamar SARC)
is a one-stop-shop registered subsidiary initiative of WACOL ((RC 1539768) that started in 2014 with the support of Justice for All (J4A) funded by DfiD, UK.
Shelter
WACOL started running a safe house in 1998 and in 2002, it built its own ultra-modern shelter that continues to provide safe spaces for women and girls in need, especially victims of VAWG/SGBV/HP, including survivors of human trafficking.
GIRL’s Will
This is an initiative of WACOL that was launched during the celebration of the 2020 International Day of Girl Child amidst COVID- 19 pandemic. GIRL’s Will is a programme designed to promote girls' right to protection and participation. It aims at amplifying the voices and rights of girls everywhere in Nigeria.
WEEP Not Fund
This Women Economic Empowerment Project- WEEP not funds was started about a decade ago by the founder of WACOL Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (OON) to focus on mitigating economic hardship suffered by widows and bring succour to widows and other rural women living in extreme poverty by supporting income-generating projects, including as a cooperative that will provide livelihood sustainability.
WACOL Zonal Women Political Empowerment
The offices were established in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, then MDGs Office at the President and the Imo State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs that donated office space.
Fifty-Fifty (50/50) Women Advocacy Group
This programme seeks to strengthen women’s capacity and equip selected beneficiaries with appropriate knowledge and skills to champion their cause at community and state levels, especially advancing women’s transformational leadership to collectively fight and prevent violence against women and girls(VAWG), including harmful practices, end discrimination and promote gender equality in all spheres of life.
WACOL Networks
WACOL is a member of many coalitions, including being a foundation member of LACVAW, Gender Technical Unit (GTU), Gender and Constitutional Advocacy Network (GECORN) and the Network of Sexual Assault Referral Centres. WACOL pioneered and still coordinates the following networks with the WACOL office serving as Secretariat:
Migrant Information Centre (MIC)
WACOL has established and runs the Migrant Information Centre in Edo state and is poised to upscale in other parts of the country as part of its effort to combat and prevent trafficking in persons and unsafe and irregular migration that increases people's vulnerability to human trafficking.
Celebrate With Us
WACOL is considered as the number one legal aid service provider for women and girls in Nigeria. For 25 years WACOL has been providing legal aid and assistance to approximately 62,000 women and girls.
Our free legal services include court representation, crisis intervention and counselling, information about victims’ rights, shelter, home visits and other psycho-social support for victims, and referrals for other needs.
25
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of protecting women’s rights.
What We've accomplished so far
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Events
December
Thank You To All
WACOL Success Stories
Our organization has helped thousands of women and children in need. You can read up on more of our success stories from the link below
Womens Aid Collective (WACOL)
Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN,OON) Speaks to Leadership Nigeria on Herder-Farmer Crisis, Sit-at-home Order Fuel Gender-based Violence
The farmer-herder crisis, as well as other crises such as the sit-at-home in the southeast part of the country, have exposed more women to gender-based violence, reports published with support
Emergence of Boko Haram escalated gender based violence against women, says Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN,OON)
The Emeritus Dean of Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN) has said that the emergence of Boko Haram has escalated sexual and gender-based violence against
Establish early warning mechanism to tackle human trafficking, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN,OON) tells FG
Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Prof Joy Ezeilo, has called on the government at all levels to establish early warning mechanisms to stop the pervasive and
PRESS STATEMENT WACOL TRAINS OVER 90 TEACHERS TO SAFEGUARD PUPILS/STUDENTS FROM FALLING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKERS, IN EDO, DELTA AND ANAMBRA STATE
Women Aid Collective (WACOL) with funding support from the Government of Switzerland is implementing a project “Scaling Up Prevention of Human Trafficking and Unsafe Migration” with a view to prevent
PRESS STATEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR STUDENTS PROTEST: WOMENAID COLLECTIVE (WACOL) CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND PASSAGE OF THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT BILL INTO LAW
In the last few days, we have witnessed students of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), boldly announce their displeasure through a peaceful protest as they demand for
WOMEN AID COLLECTIVE (WACOL) CONDEMNS THE KILLING OF MRS. OMOBOLANLE RAHEEM BY A TRIGGER-HAPPY POLICEMAN
Women Aid Collective (WACOL), a reputable Non-Governmental Organisation with observer status with the United Nations has condemned in strong terms the killing of Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, a pregnant mother, and