By: AHMED KAGANA AMSHI, Damaturu
In a joint effort between the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a 3-day capacity-building training workshop focusing on Gender Mainstreaming, GBV risk mitigation, and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH) was conducted for key Government MDAs and stakeholders in Yobe.
The primary objective of the workshop was to raise awareness among participants about the detrimental effects of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the state.
Dr. Jalo Ibrahim, the lead facilitator and Director of Rescue Operations at SEMA, highlighted the workshop’s purpose during the opening session.
He emphasized the need to address the consequences of GBV at societal, state, and national levels, underlining the significance of collaborative efforts between SEMA, UNFPA, and other humanitarian organizations in educating the public about the perils associated with GBV and the importance of protection.
Dr. Jalo reiterated that fostering gender equality and inclusion is essential for combating and diminishing the prevalence of GBV in communities.
In her presentation on gender and gender-based violence (GBV) and gender mainstreaming, Hajiya Hauwa Hassan extensively discussed the causes and elements of GBV in communities.
She stressed the necessity of a multi-sectoral approach to address GBV effectively, advocating for gender-sensitive policies, programs, projects, and services that cater to the needs of both men and women victims in society.
Musa Mohammed from the Ministry of Women Affairs shared insights on prevention and response strategies to GBV cases in society, while Barrister Hannatu Jauro highlighted the importance of laws prohibiting violence against individuals in addressing gender and sexual-based violence.
She called for the allocation of GBV support funds to aid victims facing economic challenges.
During his presentation on protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH), Mijinyawa Ali emphasized the importance of safeguarding government workers, beneficiaries, and volunteers at distribution centers and workplaces from abuse and exploitation.
The training, which took place at the CCDRN office near Yobe Mosque and Islamic Center behind the CBN office in Damaturu, attracted participants from the Ministry of Youth, Women Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and partner organizations such as the International Federation of Female Lawyers, Yobe State Branch, among others.
