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From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Stakeholders working on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) have called on the Kaduna State Government to make its sex offenders register public to alert communities of perpetrators among them to avoid a repeat.
This is even as International Alert, (IA) in partnership with the Global Peace Development, (GPD) and the International Federation Of Women Lawyers, (FiDA) expressed concerns over the increase in the recorded cases of SGBV in the State.
Already, Kaduna State has a couple of recent laws including the Gender Equity and Social Inclusive (GESI) policy, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, and Child Welfare and Protection Law among others, to punish the offenders of these crimes and reward the survivors or victims.
Opening the discussion at a one-day sensitisation workshop on addressing harmful cultural norms and practices that promote SGBV themed: “Legal and Social Protection of Women and Girls Against Gender-Based Violence, Chairperson of FiDA in the State, Hajiya Aisha Abdu Mohammed called on the State Government to declare a state of emergency SGBV.
She noted that her organisation has been leading the fight for the protection, promotion, and preservation of the rights and interests of women and children in Nigeria even though there seems not to be any headway.
“We are not saying that some female genders are not involved in this but the ratio compared to the men is quite negligible. FIDA from now is going to sensitise the men more than the women and we are going to do this so that we can send out the message to them and we hope that reduces the trend”, she said.
Country Director, International Alert, (IA) Paul Nyulaku, remarked that the workshop signified a significant stride forward in their joint commitment to confront and eradicate the cultural norms and practices that underpin SGBV in the communities.
The Director who was represented by the Programme Manager, Anicetus Atakpu, Nyulaku conveyed their profound appreciation to the Kaduna State chapter of FIDA for its unwavering support in organising the event, disclosing that the workshop was also been made possible through funding from the United Kingdom, (UK) Government under the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).
On his part, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Sule Shauibu reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to support the fight against any gender-based violence.
“This programme cannot be more apt. SGBV like we all know continues to be on the increase in the prevalence of which the purpose of our gathering today am sure will allow us to be able to dissect and discuss ideas and solutions on the way forward.
“I am sure you are aware that we have such a unit in the Ministry of Justice. We are not taking it lightly and I am assuring you that we are going to fight it to the last wherever it is identified.
“We won’t compromise. Our Governor, Uba Sani has zero tolerance for crimes and criminality particularly the ones that affect women and girls. So I want to assure you that whatever it’s that you might have resolved today, wherever we can key in, we shall key in. We will collaborate with you, we will support you we will give you all the necessary assistance to ensure that you discharge and fight this cankerworm to a standstill,” he promised.
