By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
Civil Society Organizations working to eliminate the growing menace of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), in Kaduna, on Wednesday, officially launched a coalition to effectively coordinate the fight against SGBV in the state.
Interim chairperson of the coalition known as “Kaduna State Civil Society Coalition Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)”, Rebecca Sako John said the launch is to officially present the group to the public and let them know that Kaduna has civil society actors who are providing services against GBV.
The launch was part of the coalition’s way of commemorating the 2022 16 days of activism against violence against women and girls.
The coalition was inuagurated in May 2021, with support from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with a vision to have a zero GBV Kaduna, where the fight is won with the support of CS groups and the communities.
Part of the coalition’s objectives is to empower women and girls with required skills to overcome GBV, to provide phychosocial support for GBV survivors, collaborate with communities and security agencies on homegrown countering initiatives for SGBV.
It also includes strengthening capacity for GBV actors across the state through training and linkages, increase awareness and interest in gender based violence issues, promote a caring safe environment that encourages a sense of belonging with emphasis on dignity and tolerance and to also encourage social justice strategies that overcome cultural and social barriers and prejudices.
The chairperson noted that the coalition is not new in Kaduna and that member organizations have been working to support the state in the fight against SGBV since inception.
She therefore, appealed to Kaduna State Government to collaborate with the group in fighting violence against women and girls, adding that there is need for the state government to carry them along henceforth, to fast track the elimination of SGBV cases in the state.
In her address, the State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Hafsat Baba disclosed that the state has recorded over 300 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) since inception of Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai’s administration.
Hajia Hafsat, who was represented by Hajia Maryam Mu’azu, said, “over 300 cases of GBV have being reported, we used to have underreported cases but now there is increase in reporting rate.
“We are breaking the culture of silence because most times the cases happen between family members, but we have broken that and people are more aware now.
“People are aware because of the work we are doing at the Sexual Assault Referral Centres, where medical, legal, psychosocial and other services are being offered for the survival of GBV.
“We have strengthened the referral part ways of reporting system, we have just established perpetrators/offenders register so that offenders will be published for people to know,” she said.
Oh her part, the Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Kaduna State University (KASU), Prof. Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf said the university has zero tolerance for SGBV.
“KASU does not harbour anybody who engages in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. We fight against rape, homosexuality and every form of discrimination,” Prof. Hauwa’u added.
