The HumAngle Media Foundation launched the Knifar Women Resilience and Reintegration Project to assist women in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, whose male relatives were arbitrarily detained during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency and held in military detention for up to eight years without trial. These women, known collectively as the Knifar Women, have endured prolonged hardship—economically, socially, and emotionally—as a result of their husbands’ absence and eventual return, with many still deeply traumatised and unable to fully reintegrate.

HumAngle’s investigative reporting and advocacy helped secure the release of over 1,000 of their men wrongfully detained by the Nigerian military. While this milestone provided relief for many families, it also presented a new set of challenges. The returnees, who had been detained without trial and subjected to years of harsh conditions, returned psychologically and physically weakened. During their absence, many of their wives became primary breadwinners, raising children and keeping families afloat. Even after reunification, most women continue to bear the financial and emotional burden while their husbands work to recover from the trauma.

This project aims to build on HumAngle’s previous efforts by providing direct support to both the women and their released husbands. The intervention is based on three core pillars:

1. 1. Livelihood and Financial Empowerment: Both men and women will be trained in marketable vocational skills like tailoring, farming, and soap-making. These sessions will be combined with financial literacy training to help participants manage their income and savings. Selected trainees will receive small startup kits or grants to assist them in launching microenterprises and regaining economic independence.
   2.  Trauma Recovery and Psychosocial Support: As part of the project, HumAngle mental health professionals will lead individual and group counseling sessions for survivors and their families. Couples will also benefit from special sessions aimed at rebuilding strained relationships and improving emotional well-being. Addressing deep psychological wounds is critical to restoring family stability and long-term recovery.
   3. Access to Justice and Legal Aid: Despite years of unlawful detention, many families remain determined to seek justice. This project will connect those seeking legal redress with human rights lawyers, assisting them in obtaining compensation or accountability from the state. The project will also document their stories to help preserve historical memory and advocate for systemic change.