Mission & Vision

OUR MISION: To assist in 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 conflict resolution, information and library services.
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.

Learn More

About Us

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

How We Help

Gender and Human Rights

Democracy and Good Governance

Reproductive Health and Rights

Conflict Resolution and Peace talk

Our support group creates a safe space for healthy dialogue between patients & survivors. Caridad hosts a monthly support group where our support group facilitator works with cancer survivors during “caring and sharing” time to encourage healthy dialogue and education for everyone involved. Having the support of others is an important part of breast cancer survivorship. Research shows that taking part in support groups, where you both give and receive help, is an effective way to reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Library/information services; empowerment and skills building

What we do

WACOL Programme and Projects

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 AT 25

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.