Adamu and his wife Lami hold hands in a loving display of affection. Gestures such as this, along with a willingness to listen to his wife’s concerns or participate in household chores, signal a shift in attitude by the 43-year-old farmer. A recognition that wielding power like a hammer over his wife and children undermines the family he has pledged to support.

Adamu’s newfound understanding is the result of his participation in SASA! Together, a community mobilization intervention that seeks to address the drivers of gender-based violence against women and girls.

The Jhpiego-led MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership, which is funded by the U.S. Government, supported local partner, Rural Women and Youth Development (RUWOYD), to introduce the program in nine communities across Nigeria’s Ebonyi and Sokoto states. Once a month, Adamu and his wife joined other couples in an intense discussion session where topics such as equality, violence, and financial empowerment were addressed.

The couple is among 39,247 community members reached through MOMENTUM’s efforts to prevent gender-based violence in these states.