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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Women and girls in Bauchi state have taken the campaign to end Gender Based Violence to markets and the streets to educate victims and their families on the need to take action by speaking out.
It was Organized By a Bauchi based NGO, Aid Connect for Development (AIDCODE) in collaboration with Fahimta women and youth Development Initiative with support from Actionaid Nigeria.
It was staged as a peaceful march at Wuntin Dada and Miri markets in the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis.
The peaceful rally according the organisers was to create more awareness on the need for community members to be vigilant and report early warning signs associated with Sexual and Gender Base Violence (SGBV) in their respective communities.
The women in company of some men carried placards with incriptions like we can end GBV, sex or Tape the difference is consent.
They also chanted slogans like “We don’t agree to SGBV”, “Parents, be vigilant over your children, “We don’t agree to sodomy” round the markets through the communties and back to the palaces of the village heads.
Speaking during the rally in Miri market a representative of the women in the community, Hajiya Salamatu Ibrahim said as a result consistent engagement with AIDCODE, the women in the community have been adequately sensitised on the dangers of SGBV and the need to be proactive in mitigating the SGBV in their communities.
She said that, “This rally is part of activities we have been doing to enlighten communities especially parents on the dangers associated with rape, sodomy and other forms of SGBV in our communities”.
Salamatu Ibrahim added that, “We also take such campaigns to the door steps of people to encourage them to speak out when their are violated and the need for them to protect their children against sexual predators”.
She then appreciated AIDCODE for building their capacity saying that it has gone a long way in equipping them for the challenges ahead.
Also speaking the Executive Director of Aid Connect for Development, Mrs. Habiba Ajifor said that the women in the community are taking lead in such campaigns pointing out stressing that, “this is to ensure sustainability when partners pull out”.
The program manager of AIDCODE Abigail Hardo said the that mentoring of of the women was carefully done using an all inclusive approach that cut across women, men, boys and girls.
“Am happy to see that these women and communities are taking the lead to carry out campaigns. This shows that sustainability of such activities is assured”, said Hardo.
Speaking to our our correspondent some of the women at the rally agreed that such campaigns will try awaken cautiousness on sexual and Gender Based Violence.
