Kano state Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi says the WARAKA Sexual Assault Referrel Centre had recorded 721 rape and other sexual assault related cases, from January to September 2022.
Alhaji Shehu made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria’s correspondent in Kano.
According to him, the National Human Rights Commission , is part of the steering committee that treat cases at the sexual assault referrel centre, saying that out of the total number of victims, 214 are males while the highest percentage of 507 were females.
He explained that, the Commission in Kano had received 1,300 complaints from January to September, where 180 involved women and children and only 80 cases not within the marriage circle.
“Abandonment of family responsibilities, rampant divorce,child labor among others”
The state coordinator highlighted that, NHRC Kano office, has joined the global approach through commemorating the 16 days activism against GBV with series of events ,including a visit to the state Commissioner of Justice, Kano state House of assembly, Police Commissioner, schools, Christian Association of Nigeria, council of Ulamas, Juma’at mosque Imams as well as traditional institutions.
Alhaji Abdullahi noted that, the advocacy visit to the Attorney General is to seek for more rapid response on ligitations, while that of the commissioner of police is to call for speedy dissemination of cases to Ministry of Justice, and the Speaker, Kano state house of assembly, would be advised to ensure speedy passage of legal frameworks, such as the Kano state child protection law.
Others are to preach against GBV during church, mosque and friday sermons, as well as organizing sensitization campaigns in schools, that would go a long way in mitigating the scourge.
“We would also visit kano state shari’a commission and schools to sensitize students to understand GBV and bring out some steps to stop reoccurrence”
He pointed out that, the NHRC in the state , is pushing for more stringent sanctions regarding SGBV and GBV, in the state, such as review of the Kano state penal code, and other laws, aimed at protecting women , youths and children, against all forms of oppression.
The state coordinator, regretted the rising cases of gender based violence in Nigeria and the world in general, saying that, a comprehensive report would be submitted to the state government after the advocacy visits for necessary action.
He advised the public to report cases of human rights violations, to the nearest national human rights commission office or relevant authorities to curtail societal vices.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
KHADIJAH ALIYU