The United Nations (UN) Women and the Sokoto State Government have called on community and religious leaders to lead the conversation against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Harmful Practices in the society.
Ms A’isha Sani, Programme Officer for UN Women, made the appeal at a three-day Community Guideline Development on Harmful Practices and GBV on Tuesday in Bodinga local government area of Sokoto.
Sani said their involvement would ensure good understanding toward creating a better society.
”We believe that religious leaders have a way of appealing to the consciousness of people. UN Women believes that religious leaders have vital roles to play.
”GBV happens everywhere, I believe it is easier to prevent something from happening than proffering solutions,” She said.
Sani explained that the UN Women has identified the causes and the dangers of gender-based violence as well as how it could endanger humans.
She underscored the importance of using religious provisions to correct some aspects of culture that were working against the interest and the well-being of our society.
”We have looked at various levels of violence and have resolved to deepen our conversations around these issues and be very open and frank.
“We will use perspectives on this issue to correct our orientation about gender-based practices so that we do not oppress women and girls in our community, ” She said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Children and Women Affairs in Sokoto state, Hajia Hadiza Shagari, said the training would broaden the community leaders perceptions and sustain the achievements on GBV prevention campaigns.
Shagari, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, said the era of silence culture about GBV had gone.
“We understand that this is a menace that needs to be eradicated. This partnership with UN Women is going to yield desired results because religious, community leaders, youth groups and civil society organizations are here.
”These are the leaders that will get this message across, not just in terms of campaign, but proper implementation an engaging.
”We are expected to use our understanding to formulate proper practices that would checkmate GBV reoccurrences,” she said.
The District Head of Bodinga, Alhaji Bello Abubakar, expressed appreciation over the efforts, stressing that it would surely harness proper understanding and ways to tackle GBV and other harmful practices.
GBV Desk Officer, Mrs Zinatu Haruna, urged participants to build from their previous knowledge and engagement to come out with good suggestions in order to prevent GBV cases and other harmful practices in our communities.
Haruna stressed the need for leaders to continue to play more active roles in curbing GBV and Harmful Practices.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that issues on early and forced marriage, harmful practices, female genital mutilation, forms sexual abuse, domestic violence, marital disputes, dangers of girls hawking and other abuses were discussed.
