Program Brief
Explore Aid, in collaboration with the International Institute for Criminal Investigations (IICI) and Professor Annie Bunting from York University Canada, organized a one-day Murad Code training and help desk session for its researchers and research assistants. The Murad Code is a global, survivor-centered code of practice for documenting conflict-related sexual violence, named after Nobel Laureate Nadia Murad. It provides ethical guidelines to ensure that documentation processes prioritize the safety, well-being, and agency of survivors.
The training introduced participants to the core principles of the Murad Code: do no harm, informed consent, confidentiality, survivor participation, and data security. Through interactive sessions, participants learned how to apply these principles in real-world research settings, including how to handle sensitive disclosures, manage distress, and ensure that documentation contributes to justice and reparations without re-traumatizing survivors. The help desk component allowed researchers to bring specific challenges from their fieldwork and receive tailored guidance from the facilitators.
A total of 30 researchers (20 women, 10 men) from Explore Aid and partner organizations participated. The session was facilitated by Professor Annie Bunting (York University) and a senior expert from IICI. Participants reported a significant increase in their understanding of ethical documentation practices and expressed confidence in applying the Murad Code to their ongoing research on transitional gender justice.
Key outcomes: integration of Murad Code principles into Explore Aid's research protocols; development of a field handbook on ethical documentation; and establishment of a peer support network for researchers to discuss ethical dilemmas. This training positions Explore Aid as a leader in survivor-centered research in Nigeria.