By, Zakari Isah - Kaduna
The Chairperson of Kaduna Coalition Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, (SGBV) Barrister Bukola Ajao, has called on governments at all levels to invest in policies and implementation that will bring an end to gender-based violence in the country.
She made the call in Kaduna during a press conference to commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Barrister Ajao explained that the coalition recognised the critical role that investments play in preventing violence, stressing that by supporting awareness campaigns, community engagement, and Civil Society Organisations collaboration will enhance the fight against the Scotch of SGBV across all stratas.
She added that ending violence against women and girls must involve a deliberate collaboration with government, private sectors, non-governmental organisations, CSOs, faith and traditional leaders.
According to her, “The theme of this year’s event, which is “Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls,” serves as a call to the governments, private organisations, stakeholders, and community leaders to always provide gender-friendly budgets towards addressing gender-based violence.”
Speaking at the event, the state Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Terngu Gwar, said the issue of gender-based violence is also a human rights issue and critical development issues that required urgent attention.
He said at the commission they have received over 3660 SGBV related cases this year.
And if put together statistics other stakeholders have being receiving it will be mind blowing, and what that's telling us is that there's much to be done, we have issue on the rise therefore every one is required to put head together to deal with the matter", Dr Gwar stressed.
He described Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as a development issue rather than to be seen as a social problem.
“SGBV as I always say, is not only social, economic problem but it is a major development problem. SGBV affects our GDP because it affects the economic activities of women and also impacts negatively on the country’s domestic product”.
Stakeholders present at the event were, the Permanent Commissioner, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Barrister Rebecca Sakho, Representatives of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, the Executive Director, Gender Awareness Trust, (GAT), Dr Lydia Umar, Representatives of Accelerating Nutrition Resultsin Nigeria (ANRIN), led by Aisha Gambo Jakada, and Representatives from the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria, and other CSOs.
They reiterated their resolve to fight the menace of violence against women and girls, calling for workable actions to help curb the heightened spate of the act.
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