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By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
A frontline survivor-led Nigerian Non-Governmental Organisation working at the intersection of gender justice, media advocacy and human rights, the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, (DNF) has decried the high cases of Gender-Based Violence in Nasarawa state.
The DNF in collaboration with Ford Foundation in Lafia, the headquarters of Lafia local government area of Nasarawa state organised an Interfaith And Cultural Dialogue on averting Gender-Based Violence, and also held a town hall meeting with community members and leaders in the state.
Speaking during the event which had in attendance representatives of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, State Ministry of Justice, religious organisations, traditional institutions, among others, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Dorothy Njemanze noted that the increasing cases of GBV in the state had become worrisome.
She narrated that based on available information from the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs, a total of 276 cases of Gender-Based Violence were reported between the months of January and March this year.
According to her, many of the survivors the NGO had recently helped in the course of carrying out its duties in Nasarawa, Niger States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT), faced harmful practices like forced marriages, rape, breast ironing, family supervised rape, among dehumanizing acts.
Njemanze further narrated that the misuse of culture, the weaponization of religion, and the fear of challenging elders who are harsh to females had been the reason why the cases GBV had continued to increase in Nasarawa and other states of the country.
Her words, “People are forcing children into labour instead of sending them to school. That means they are growing without being raised. A child being raised would mean that they are given the guidance they need, nutrition, amongst other things.
“Gender-Based Violence is bad, and all of us have collectively agreed that together, we are going to tackle it. We had an opportunity to point out where traditional institutions were failing the people and where they were helping the people.
“We also had an opportunity to point out where the government needs to invest more in the access to justice system, because it is very expensive.
“So, the essence of this stakeholders meeting is because we have seen that when faith leaders re-interpret scripture to affirm women’s dignity, and when traditional rulers make bold declarations against child marriage, the entire community listens. We are not asking anyone to abandon their identity. We are asking them to amplify the parts of their culture and faith that protects life, not control it,”
Earlier, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Barr. Hauwa Jugbo explained that the state government had taken deliberate steps towards addressing GBV holistically.
She, however, maintained that some of the efforts made includes the renovation of the shelter home for survivors, providing them a safe haven for recovery, and the establishment of a GBV situation room at the Ministry to collect tracks and analyse data from across the 13 LGAs of the state.
While commending the First Lady of the State, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi-Sule for her unwavering support in advocating for the rights of women and girls in the state, and her steadfast leadership in the fight against Gender-Based Violence, Jugbo confirmed that the state recorded 276 GBV cases between January to March this year.
She said, “In fact, between January and March of this year alone, a modest total of 276 GBV cases were recorded and submitted to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja. This figure reflect the growing challenge of GBV in the state.
“The impact of GBV on individuals, families, and communities is profound. Survivors suffer not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma, social stigma and economic disempowerment.
“Families are torn apart, communities live in fear and silence. GBV remains a major barrier to gender equality, development and the full participation of women and girls in the society.
Our correspondent reports that other stakeholders at the event including representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria; Jama’atu Nasril Islam; Security Agencies; Women and Youth groups, among others pledged to work hard towards ensuring the prevention of Gender-Based Violence in their homes, communities and places of work.
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