CERSDOV Sustains Anti-GBV Campaign in Balanga

From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

The Center for the Study and Resolution of Domestic Violence (CERSDOV) has intensified its grassroots campaign on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with an outreach in Talasse, headquarters of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The event brought together SRHR-GBV ambassadors and women groups from Balanga North and South to review progress and challenges in implementing anti-GBV activities following training earlier conducted by CERSDOV.

Executive Director of CERSDOV, Professor Hauwa Evelyn Yusuf, represented by Research Fellow Dr. Hussaini Momoh Lawal, said the outreach was designed to assess the impact of the campaign at the grassroots. He urged women to remain committed to sensitising their communities on the dangers of GBV.

Also speaking, the GBV Desk Officer at the Gombe State Ministry of Justice Barr Na’omi Abdu, called on participants to boldly report and pursue cases of abuse, noting that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act provides a legal framework for prosecuting offenders.

Ambassadors from Balanga North, including Mrs. Kande Hassan and Aishatu Suleiman Biki, said they had established seven women groups that meet weekly to discuss GBV, economic empowerment and girl-child education.

They noted that women in their communities are increasingly refusing to shield perpetrators of abuse.

Their counterparts from Balanga South, among them Grace Yusuf Batu, Maryam Joji, Asabe Modi and Nyuwar-Jessu Ward Councillor, Burge Ajiya Kalla, reported that the anti-GBV crusade is gaining traction in their communities.

Participants, however, identified early marriage, limited male involvement and ignorance as persisting obstacles in the fight against GBV.