By; NONYE EKWENUGO, Kaduna
A Non-governmental organization (NGO) International Alert (IA) in partnership with Global Peace Development (GPD) has built safe space for survivors of Sexual and Gender Based-Violence (SGBV) in Goska and Dangoma communities in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Country Director, International Alert Nigeria, Dr. Paul Nyulaku during the commissioning of the safe space on Tuesday in Goska Community, said that the structure will help to address conflict between the two communities, adding that it will be utilized by women and girls in order to share their experience and proffer solutions to them.
Goska and Dangoma community have experienced series of attacks in the past, which led to conflict in the communities over the years.
Nyulaku said, “We are happy that members of Goska and Dangoma are sitting together, it is a huge sign that peace will stay, conflict has no benefit to anyone let us join hands and work for peace”.
In her remarks, the director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, IA, Hannah Ward urged the two communities to live in peace, saying that International Alert is ready to support initiatives that promote peace.
During an interview with newsmen shortly after the commissioning of the safe space, the Executive Director of Global Peace Development, Ebruke Esike explained that SGBV is prevalent in Goska and Dangoma communities.
“SGBV is prevalent in this two communities, coupled with conflict between them, so to address cultural norms and SGBV issues, we felt that we should address the concerns of women that could lead us get the men and we can promote peace within the communities. Both Dangoma and Goska had been worrying communities and now they are back together, talking together and they are supporting us in all that we do to promote peace.
“For us, we think that one major hindrance is their women not having except open environment, so we felt that we should provide them protective safe space that the women and young girls can have time to sit down and discuss issues that concern them and address them holistically as a body.
“Before we came in, Goska and Dangoma were not sitting together, they were in war-torn, we brought them together for the first time after a long time of crisis”.
Speaking on behalf of the two communities, the village heads, Mr. Samuel Barde of Goska and Malam Muhammad Bayi of Dangoma respectively, thanked the NGOs for providing the safe space.
“It will also reduce much of the cases of SGBV in our communities because justice is bound to be served to perpetrators and would serve as deterrence to others”. They said.
