As part of its activities to mark the 16 days of activism against Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV), Wonder Woman Nigeria (WWN) in partnership with French Embassy in Nigeria has sensitised Kaduna residents on dangers of SGBV.
The Vice President, WWN, Anne Dirkling, during the sensitisation exercise in Kaduna, tagged ‘Voices Against Gender-based: Advocacy, Art and Action’ urged community leaders and other critical stakeholders to use their influence to create more awareness on GBV.
She explained that fighting SGBV requires collective actions, adding that it is everybody’s responsibilities.
“We are here to create a platform to talk about experiences and stories of survivors of GBV and to also talk to community leaders to raise awareness, that this is a matter of everyone in the community for all different stakeholders that are involved. We are also lending voices to those not feeling to report cases and do not know where to seek the support from,” she said.
According to her, 400 cases of SGBV was brought to their attention in the last six years.
Dirkling however, called for more awareness on reporting cases of GBV in order to curb the scourge of the menace in society, she said.
She urged government to increase funding to mitigate SGBV in Kaduna and Nigeria, saying that it is a social, health and educational problem.
She highlighted some of the causes of GBV, which she said the current economic situation has caused a lot of pressure to some homes.
Dirkling commended Kaduna state government for establishing referral centres in the state, urging them to do more to ensure SGBV is eliminated.
“More cases are reported in Kaduna which is roughly 10% increase, it is a good sign and that means, advocacy is working and also different platforms that encourage people to talk and Kaduna State government is doing a lot,” she said.
She reiterated the need for Civil Society Organisations, NGOs, media, traditional leaders and others to collaborate to end SGBV in Kaduna and Nigeria at large, she said.
Earlier, Commissioner, Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Salisu Ibrahim, who was represented by her Special Assistant, Hajia Maryam Muazu, said all hands must be deck to ensure success is achieved.
She noted that prevention is still one of the challenges, saying that Kaduna has four referral centres where survivors can report.
She further said Kaduna state has zero tolerance for SGBV, noting that there is need for more awareness.
