By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Dutse
The ESTID UK sponsored sensitization of traditional/ religious leaders, the CBO’s, youth, person’s with disability, women groups, the elderly and ethnic minorities in the three Senatorial District’s of Gumel, Hadejia, and Dutse have called for practicable implementation of all passed Social Protection Policies into law for the betterment of all and sundry.
The meeting which was attended by over 100 participants across the three senatorial zones, as well as selected representatives of CSO’s, the media, religious and community leaders in each of the zones, is aimed at sensitizing the people of the affected areas on the general concepts of social protection policies, The Disability Bill, as well as the VAPP laws for rape offenders.
The sensitization has taken stock of the state government’s commitment in approving most Social Protection Policies into laws, and domesticate them into practice, stressed that what remains is the enactment of these bills into practical implementations in gaining constitutional backings”
Other objectives of the sensitization is to increase awareness on sustainability on the social protection policy, gender equality, inclusion of the PWDs in social protection policy, as well as informing the public on VAPP among other related laws on violence against rape.
In her brief remarks, the Manager of ESPID Programmes under UK intervention, Mrs Stella noted that women are subjected to all forms of social hardship such as child labor, maternal mortality, sexual assault, sexual gender based violence (SGBV), poor access to education and health, emotional and domestic abuse that has forced some into illicit acts like drug abuse and child trafficking.
According to her, there remains substantial and widening gender gaps which continue to deprive women and girls of opportunities, in getting access to education, as well as employment opportunities for economic growth, which calls for adjustment, since such calamities do often plunge them into more hardship, a situation which requires solution in getting them access to acquiring better education, and gainful employment for self reliance. The meeting further suggested for a periodical sensitization for people to understand the full concept of social protection policy to the down trodden across the 27 LGAs of the state.
In his submission, one of the community leaders, Malam Muhammad Sani Hadejia lauded the efforts of ESTID on its Initiatives in piloting the social strata of the concept of social protection policy, just to increase awareness on the less privileged to better their living conditions on the implementation of SPP laws.
He also commended Jigawa State Government for enacting a law on rape offenders, saying, “I call on the government for enforcement of this very important law. Let the law’s stiff punishment be meted on anyone caught contravening the law no matter how highly placed as parents of rape victims face severe challenges in pursuant of justice and care for the victims due to financial hardship.
On Girl’s hawking, the forum suggested sensitization of parents on the dangers of girls hawking.
“Alternative forms of selling items which are less risky for the girl can be introduced.
“Public enlightenment on TV, radio and newspapers is very essential for people to have more knowledge, and ideas on social protection policy and the law.
“Supporting people to acquire skills for self reliance under economic empowerment programme is very important as it will enhance people’s economic status,” they added.
