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Tag: gender-based violence (GBV)

  • CEWHIN, CPN hold community awareness on GBV prevention in Lagos

    CEWHIN, CPN hold community awareness on GBV prevention in Lagos

    A non-governmental organisation, Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), has decried heightened vulnerabilities faced by women and girls with disabilities in the society, emphasizing the need for awareness to drive systemic change and protect vulnerable groups.

    CEHWIN disclosed this during a community awareness and sensitization on the prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs)in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State.

    The event was held in collaboration with the Child Protection Network (CPN).

    Supported by the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund),the awareness initiative aimed to educate community members on the impact of gender-based violence on women and girls with disabilities, as well as highlight practical steps for prevention and response at the community level.

    Speaking, programme Officer of CEWHIN, Pamela Stephen , said the event successfully strengthened community awareness on gender-based violence against women and girls with disabilities while fostering collaborations between local organizations, government agencies, and residents. “CEWHIN and its partners reaffirm their commitment to sustaining these conversations and driving meaningful action to protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria,”she said.

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    A gender specialist and one of the facilitators, Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai said people with disability suffer gender based violence more. “We are asking that everyone should put hands together and make sure that we hold perpetrators accountable and stop this crime in our society. We should support people who suffer it and direct them to report so that the perpetrators are apprehended and justice is dispensed.

    Commending the initiative, she said: “We are happy to identify with CEHWIN for implementing this project. Lagos State government has brought out legislation to support them and make sure that perpetrators face justice. They should come out and speak out. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency’s numbers are there. They can call and get free medical support and counselling.”

    The Director of Domestic Violence Unit, Ministry of Women Affairs and

    Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State, Oluwatoyin Olorunfemi who facilitated one of the sessions said the message was well received. “Many of them now have the knowledge about the need to take care of people with disabilities and ensure they don’t suffer any form of physical, sexual , financial and emotional abuse.”

    Elated by the quality of information shared during the event, Igbo Elerin market leader, Madam Abibatu Aina said: “I will continue to drum the lessons learnt into the ears of my members and also draw the attention of the authorities to vices in the community.”

    A participant Charles Owolabi commended CEHWIN for the awareness in the area, saying: “I have gained a lot today. I will promote the lessons learnt in the palace and the community in general. Kudos to the organisers.”

  • Kaduna records 30% surge in GBV cases

    Kaduna records 30% surge in GBV cases

    Kaduna State has recorded a sharp increase in cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with over 1,259 incidences reported by the end of November 2024, marking a 30% rise compared to the previous year. This is according to the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services.

    Similarly, Kano State registered 244 cases in 2023, highlighting a pressing regional concern.

    This alarming trend was a key focus at a meeting of Women Muslim Preachers from Kano and Kaduna States, held in Kaduna as part of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.

    The meeting, organised by the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) in collaboration with the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith at Bayero University, Kano, was supported by the Ford Foundation.

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    Dr. Taufiq Abubakar, Director of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith, emphasised the role of Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) in using Islamic teachings to combat GBV. He highlighted the influence religious leaders wield in shaping attitudes, noting that the MOLs project is designed to challenge harmful cultural norms perpetuating violence against women and girls.

    Project coordinator, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Ahmad, revealed that the initiative included a Peer-to-Peer Study Tour to Egypt, where participants engaged with leading Islamic institutions such as Al-Azhar and the Grand Mufti.

    He stressed the importance of integrating Islamic teachings into GBV prevention strategies and equipping Da’awah leaders with the necessary tools to challenge harmful practices.

    Participants were also trained on fostering dialogue within households, using Qur’anic verses and Hadith to advocate for the protection of women, and incorporating Islamic principles into their community outreach efforts.

  • Katsina, Abia lead response to gender-based violence

    Katsina, Abia lead response to gender-based violence

    Katsina State leads in gender-based violence (GBV) response in 2024, ranking highest among the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Invictus Africa has revealed, based on 18 indicators across five indexes that assess State performance.

    The state’s progress follows the governor’s signing of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill and Child Protection Bill into law in December 2023, positioning Katsina as a frontrunner in addressing GBV comprehensively in 2024.

    However, according to Invictus Africa’s Womanity Index, only six States are making significant efforts to tackle GBV nationwide.

    Invictus Africa, an organization advocating for human rights and gender equality, also commended Abia State for its notable response to gender-based violence (GBV) during the review period.

    In a statement on Sunday, Sola Abe, the Communications Officer of Invictus Africa, noted that while six States have tried to address GBV, significant gaps remain.

    The findings contained in the 2024 edition of the Womanity Index, are set for release on December 4, 2024, in Abuja.

    The Womanity Index (GBV) is an annual assessment and ranking of sub-national governments based on their performance in preventing and responding to gender-based violence.

    The 2023 edition of the Womanity Index assessed States’ performance using 18 indicators across five indexes – Laws and Policies, Access to Legal Justice, Support Services, Information and Awareness, and Budget and Spending.

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    The Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Bukky Shonibare noted that each State received tailored recommendations aimed at closing those gaps and improving outcomes, however, explained that, “Findings from the report revealed that only six out of 36 States and the FCT are making good efforts to address GBV, but gaps remain.

    “The spate of GBV in Nigeria makes the Womanity Index a critical and timely tool for holding government accountable on their responsibility to effectively prevent and respond to GBV”.

    Highlighting key achievements of States that have acted on the recommendations of the Womanity Index report, Shonibare emphasized that the six States were success stories of policy changes, government actions, and targeted interventions in various communities across the country.

    “One standout example is Katsina State. Displeased by the State’s ‘red’ ranking in the Womanity Index, the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Hajia Zainab Musa Musawa, ensured that the Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru, assented to the VAPP Act and Child Protection Law on December 22, 2023.

    “The State also established a system for the timely production of evidence for GBV cases, aiming for a swift process from legal notice to court hearing: seven days with the police, seven days at the Ministry of Justice, and 21 days for sentencing.

    “As of May 2024, 19 cases successfully followed this expedited process.”

    She revealed that the Index recommendations influenced budget decisions in Abia State. “Abia State adopted the Womanity Index’s GBV budgeting template in its 2024 budget, with most of the provisions approved,” she said.

    Furthermore, she said civil society organizations are also utilizing the Index to guide their GBV intervention strategies, adding, “Several organizations have used the Womanity Index to prioritize which State to target for their programs, drawing from its recommendations.”

    She also noted that the success stories underscore the tangible impact of the Womanity Index in improving GBV prevention and response mechanisms at the sub-national level in Nigeria.

    “The upcoming 2024 edition will provide a data-driven and evidence-based update on the progress that sub-national governments have made over the past year.

    “The Womanity Index 2024 will track progress, push for reforms, and ensure that State governments take decisive steps to reduce GBV across Nigeria,” Shonibare added.

    According to her, the event would provide a platform for discussions aimed at shaping future efforts to combat gender-based violence at the State level.