Foundation Trains Community Kaduna Vanguards on SGBV
From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Habiba Dangana Foundation knows as Hadis Foundation has train community vanguards on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kaduna state.
Speaking during the training session the Programme Officer of the Hadis Foundation Malama Aisha Adamu Modibbo said we draw stakeholders for community vanguard training on sexual and gender-based violence on how to report cases to appropriate authorities for action.
“This participant came from various community around Kaduna metropolis, and Southern part of Kaduna and the Northern part of Kaduna and Zaria.
The Programme Officer further explained that “Our target audience are community leaders, organizations within Kaduna State, the Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kekenapep, Okada Men’s Association, Principals Association, Market Women and Farmers Association, the people with disability also, we have 12 clusters of different associations that participated in this program.
“We want them to have awareness on sexual and gender-based violence so that they will know how to respond on it, they will know where to refer after having a case on it within their community. So that is our own end goal.
“Let’s all the community leaders, how are here to have idea on how to engage on sexual and gender-based violence issue. So they will serve as a community vanguard within their communities.
In her presentation Barrister Ayiku Thomas, said SGBV is a significant human rights violation that affects individuals, particularly women and girls.
Barrister Thomas highlights various forms of SGBV, including sexual violence, physical and psychological violence, harmful traditional practices, economic abuse, and online gender-based violence.
The legal Practitioner emphasized that SGBV has severe and far-reaching consequences, including physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences, for both survivors and perpetrators.
“This training also explored the causes of SGBV, including patriarchal societies, reporting barriers, lack of awareness, and conflict-related violence.
Thomas noted that efforts to combat SGBV include government and non-government initiatives, legislative actions, community-based programs, and support for survivors.
“The Kaduna State Government’s establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARCs) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law were examples of initiatives aimed at protecting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable she noted.
Barrister Bukola Ajao, Chairperson of the Coalition, against SGBV emphasized the importance of community vanguards in preventing and responding to SGBV cases.
She urged participants to set up groups in their communities where people can report SGBV cases and assured them of support from service providers, including free legal services from organizations such as Legal Aid and the Kaduna State Civil Society Coalition against Sexual Gender Base violence.
Barrister Ajao also stressed the need for community vanguards to listen to survivors and provide them with the necessary support, rather than taking decisions on their behalf.
She emphasized the importance of reporting SGBV cases to the police, especially in cases of rape, and sensitizing communities on how to make timely reports. The training also highlighted the need for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for spousal issues that do not involve life-threatening injuries.
