The Ford Foundation-supported Side-by-Side (SBS) Project represents a transformative community-led response to gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, with focused implemment- -ation in Kano State and Benue State. Implemented by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), the project sought to address the deep- rooted social norms, weak institutional responses, and culture of silence that have long perpetuated violence against women, girls, and children.

Through leadership development, livelihood support, community mobilization, strategic engagement with religious and traditional institutions, and capacity strengthening of security and justice actors, the SBS Project fostered collective ownership of GBV prevention and response. Survivors were supported to speak out, frontline responders were equipped with survivor-centered skills, and communities were empowered to act as the first line of protection.