Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has charged Kano state government, to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibitions Act (VAPP), to assist in seeking justice for Gender Based Violence (GBV), survivors.
The Gender Officer CITAD, Hajiya Zainab Aminu made the call while briefing newsmen in kano.
According to her, Kano State has recorded 171 cases of gender based violence from November to January 2023.
She said out of the total number, fourteen were on rape involving twelve girls and two male victims, 61 on sexual harassment, 67 sexual abuse, online harassments 16, sexual blackmail 3, and 10 wife battering cases.
Zainab Aminu noted that, the Gender Based Violence reported cases, were collated through CITAD’s GBV monitoring and reporting app.
The Gender Officer explained that, the Center was working in collaboration with other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to mitigate GBV through measures such as engagement of families, communities, and community gate-keepers, traditional and religious leaders, men and boys.
“with a view to transform social norms and attitudes towards prevention of violence against women and girls should be imbibed”
She emphasized the need for individuals, as well as local communities, to be more vigilant by understanding what was happening in the neighborhood, and responding promptly by alerting relevant security services, when they suspect that a family member, friend or neighbor is falling victim of violence.
“It is important for the society to understand that gender-based violence not only has negative consequences for women and girls but also for their families, for their community and for their country at large”
Zainab Aminu said CITAD was advocating for zero tolerance on violence against women and children, and appealed to the state government to set up public sensitization on the menace, to maintain a safe society.
The Gender Officer, charged government at all levels,to make Gender Based Violence a top priority, by ensuring that rape perpetrators were brought to justice .
“and sensitizing the public on the effects of GBV on our economic, social and political growth as a nation”
COV/KHADIJAH ALIYU