Kano Men March Against GBV in Solidarity with Women’s Rights
By Mustapha Salisu
A group of Kano men under the umbrella of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights took to the streets on Friday, 8th December 2023, for an advocacy walk to raise awareness about gender-based violence and call for an end to the abuse of women and girls.
PRIME TIME NEWS Correspondent, Mustapha Salisu reports that, the road walk which started from the Kano NAPTIP Office and ended at the Farm Centre GSM Market, was led by Baobab’s Kano State Coordinator, Rahinatu Ahmad Muhammad.
According to Rahinatu, the walk was part of Baobab’s efforts to commemorate 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign that runs from November 25th to December 10th.
This year’s theme, “Men! Arise!! Prevent Violence against Women,” aimed to engage men and encourage them to understand their role in protecting women and girls from violence.
“The roadwalk also aimed at sensitizing the general public on the negative impacts of gender-based violence like rape and sexual harassment targeted specifically at young girls and women,” added Muhammad.
She also expressed concern over the culture of silence surrounding sexual abuse, warning that it contributes to an increase in the crime.
“Not voicing out sexual abuse is a crime which equally requires a penalty,” she said.
Muhammad emphasized the importance of domesticating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Kano as a crucial step towards addressing gender-based violence and promoting human rights for women and children.
Speaking to newsmen earlier, Rashiyda Aminu Ibrahim, a member of Baobab and NAPTIP’s Zonal Focal Person/Head of Department, SGBV in Kano, revealed that most of the perpetrators of gender-based violence are men.
“If you notice Farm Centre GSM village is filled with only men. That’s why Baobab took the decision of all men walk considering religious and cultural background of Kano citizens men will listen to men especially on GBV cases,” she said.
Ibrahim called on the general public to speak out against gender-based violence and cooperate with authorities to ensure the speedy trials of perpetrators.
PRIME TIME NEWS reports that, the 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign that was launched by the United Nations in 1991 to raise awareness about violence against women and girls. The campaign takes place every year from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10th, Human Rights Day.
In Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights sees the 16 Days of Activism as a time for organizations, government agencies, and individuals to come together to raise awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls and to take action to prevent it.
