Mutual understanding, harmony and peaceful coexistence, has been described as some of the catalysts to mitigating the prevalence of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The Vice Chancellor Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas made the indication, during a one day national dialogue with one hundred inter faith and culture leaders (f&c), held in Kano.
Professor Sagir Adamu-Abbas, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Muhammad Sani Gumel, said the programme would help to strengthen unity and curb the menace of gender based violence in the society.
He noted that, the national dialogue is in conformity with the vision and mission of the university, to lead in research and education in Africa and commitment to addressing African development challenges.
In a virtual presentation, chairperson board of trustees, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Justice Fati Abubakar explained that religious and traditional leaders, are deeply rooted at all social levels in all communities.
She noted that, the support offered by palaces, mosques and churches often fill the gaps in the need of survivors of violence.
The BOT chair stressed that, the dialogue would provide an avenue for sincere conversations, to correct perceptions and misinterpretations, that will allow narratives justifying some forms of violence against women and girls in different social settings.
Some of the panelists who spoke to Radio Nigeria, CAN chairman FCT Reverend Dr. Istifanus Koce and Engineer Bashir Adamu Aliyu noted that both Islam and Christianity prohibits violence against women.
They highlighted that, traditional and cultural norms ,self interest, misinterpretation of religion are at the fore front in promoting gender based violence.
In her paper titled ‘ The intersection of social norms and VAWG, identification and evaluation in homes and communities, Professor Aishatu Abdul Isma’il from department of political science Bayero University Kano, identified various forms of violence against women and girls which include discriminatory laws and lack of political participation as well as gender stereotypes.
Others are direct physical, psychological and sexualized violence, unpaid care work and segregated healthcare services.
The one day national dialogue tagged : supporting social norms changes and scaling up commitment to accountability, towards curbing the prevalence of violence against women and girls: was organized by women’s rights advancement and protection alternative (WRAPA), in collaboration with Bayero University Kano, supported by Ford Foundation.
KHADIJAH ALIYU