Worried by the growing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in northern Nigeria, 40 Imams from Kaduna and Kano states have convened in Kaduna to deliberate on Islamic teachings related to protecting women and girls from violence.
The two-day event titled, “Step-Down Training for 40 Friday Mosque Imams on Islamic Perspective in Preventing Women and Girls from Harm,” aimed to share insights from a study tour to Egypt that focused on the principles of Islamic prevention of violence against women.
Kano state Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Ahmed Tijjani Auwal, highlighted the significance of addressing GBV through religious teachings. “We are dealing with prevention of GBV, especially in northern Nigeria, focusing on what Islam says about protecting women and children from violence, including sexual violence and domestic abuse,” he stated.
Auwal acknowledged the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) for facilitating the Egypt tour, where delegates learned from Islamic scholars about protecting women’s rights as detailed in the Quran and Hadith.
He emphasised that misconceptions regarding gender roles have contributed to women’s neglect and abuse. “Many wrongly interpret Islam as giving men absolute power over women, but this is not so. Inheritance, for instance, often sees women receiving more than men, as supported by Quranic verses,” Auwal said.
He stressed the need for Imams, particularly those from rural areas, to spread accurate teachings on these topics.
The project coordinator, Ahmad Abdullahi Ahmad, noted that the Imams were committed to imparting their knowledge by training others. He said, “This session is part of a series where 20 Imams from Kano and 20 from Kaduna, under the Council of Imams, engage in dialogue to tackle GBV.”
Ahmad underscored the importance of data collection to strengthen laws addressing GBV, noting that underreporting remains a challenge. The Imams aim to create awareness and set a foundation for action within their communities to combat GBV effectively.
