The 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 Kaduna State Civil Society Coalition Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Rebecca Sako John said the launch was to officially present the CS group to the public and let them know that Kaduna has Civil Society Actors who are providing services against SGBV.
She said the launch was part of the Coalition’s way of commemorating the 2022 ‘ 16 days of activism’ and its further commitment to fight violence against women and girls.
“The Coalition was inaugurated in May 2021, with support from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with a vision to have a zero SGBV in Kaduna State, where the fight is won with the support of CS groups and the communities”.
“Part of the Coalition’s objectives are; to empower women and girls with required skills to overcome GBV, to provide Psychosocial Support for GBV survivors, collaborate with communities and security agencies on homegrown countering initiatives for SGBV”.
“To strengthen capacity for SGBV 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 an emphasis on dignity and tolerance”.
“And to also encourage social justice strategies that overcome cultural and social barriers and prejudices”.
The Chairperson, noted that though the coalition is not new in the state and her member organizations have been working to support the state in the fight against SGBV since its inception.
She, therefore appealed to the Kaduna State government to collaborate with groups in fighting violence against women and girls, adding that there is a need for the State government to carry out 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, Hajiya Hafsat Baba said that the State has recorded over 300 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) since the inception of Governor Nasir Ahmad El-rufai’s administration.
Hajiya Hafsat, who was represented by Hajia Maryam Mu’azu said “over 300 cases of GBV have been reported, we used to have underreported cases before, but now there is an increase in reporting rate”.
“We are breaking the culture of silence because most times the cases happened 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 the Perpetrators of GBV”.
On her part, the Director, of the Centre for Gender Studies, Kaduna State University (KASU), Prof. Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf said the university has zero tolerance for SGBV.
“KASU does not harbor anybody who engages in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. We fight against rape, homosexuality, and every form of discrimination”. Prof. Hauwa’u added.
Credit:Newsweb
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