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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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:
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.
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.
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of protecting women’s rights.
December
Womens Aid Collective (WACOL)
PRESS RELEASE Date: May 29, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WACOL CONDENMS GRUESOME MURDER AND KIDNAPPINGS, DEMANDS SWIFT JUSTICE. The WomenAid Collective (WACOL) is deeply terrified and outraged by the recent
Press Statement – For Immediate Release. 12th May 2025 – Enugu, Nigeria. The Women Aid Collective (WACOL) expresses deep relief and gratitude over the safe return of over 70 Nigerian
Women Aid Collective (WACOL) is an independent, non-political, non-governmental, and non-profit. It is registered as a company limited by guarantee and has been functioning as a charitable organization since 1997.
# Press Statement FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 2nd March 2025 The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) and the Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Tamar SARC) are calling for an independent
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
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
