Story from Najib SANI, Bauchi
As part of efforts to tackle gender-based violence and traditional practices that are harmful to women, Ikra Foundation for Women And Youth Development (IKFWYD) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from the Canadian government has inaugurated gender-based violence response and referral networks in three local governments of Bauchi state.
The Gender-Based Violence Response and Referral Networks which were inaugurated at Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa and Itas/Gadau local government areas comprise representatives of women groups, youth organizations, security agents, legal assistants and community leaders.
According to the programme officer of Ikra foundation Peace Yohanna, the role of the networks is to sensitize their communities on gender-based violence and report cases to appropriate authorities like security agents and rush survivors to the hospital.
She opined that most gender-based violence cases are due to a lack of proper education on the menace making the perpetrators go scot-free.
“With this committee, we believe that the team will go round, see what is happening within the community, report cases, refer the survivors to hospital and ensure that the culprits are brought to book”. She explained.
Also speaking, Fatima Abdullahi, director of women affairs in the state ministry of women affairs and child development who accompanied the team said the network could help to curb the menace in the area.
She appealed to the district heads of the three local governments to enlighten their people against the practice of harmful traditions that impede the development of women.
She enumerated some of the harmful traditions to include child marriage that causes VVF, unprofessional vaginal surgery by traditional birth attendants, female genital mutilation etc.
“Traditional rulers as highly influential people in their areas have pivotal roles to play to stop such harmful traditions and gender-based violence”. She stated.
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