The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Usaini-Gumel, has called for the support of traditional and religious leaders to end the menace of Gender-based violence in the state.
Usaini-Gumel made the call while addressing youths of the Arewa Peace Ambassadors Forum (APAF), a youth and students’ movement, in Kano at the 2023 Peace conference in commemoration of International Day for Peace.
The conference with theme: “Gender-based Violence From Religious, Western and Cultural Perspectives” was organised by APAF.
Gumel expressed concern that gender-based violence was deeply rooted in the fabric of African society and increasingly affects many more individuals across religious, traditional and cultural backgrounds.
“In our quest for a more compassionate and just society, it is crucial to explore these issues through diverse lenses, including religious, traditional, and cultural perspectives.
“Gender-Based Violence is deeply rooted in the fabric of our society and increasingly affecting many more individuals across religious, traditional and cultural backgrounds.
” It is a pervasive issue that undermines the very essence of our humanity and keeps threatening the well-being and dignity of individuals,” he said.
According to him, traditional and religious leaders have a vital role to play in ensuring cultural, traditional beliefs and practices to sustain the incidence of domestic violence are jettisoned in their respective communities.
” By embracing the principles of respect, education, and empowerment, we can create a society where individuals of all genders can thrive.
“We must continue to address crime prevention, raise awareness, and provide comprehensive support to survivors to ensure their empowerment” Usaini-Gumel said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CP received an excellence award for outstanding performance in Policing Kano State.
On his part, Sheikh Muhajjidina Sani-Kano, a Kano based Islamic cleric also got a special recognition award for Peace Icon due to his contributions to peace and humanitarian assistance.
He appealed to women to always dress modestly based on basic Islamic code of dressing to avoid being molested.
Sani-Kano also called on youths to always fear God and be ambassadors of peace.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of APAF, Alhaji Nura Ali-Abubakar, called on youths to go back to school and be advocate for world peace.
“Education promotes knowledge,skills and attitude to help people prevent conflict,resolve conflict peacefully or creat condition of peace” he said
Other award recipients are Amb. Surajo Dantata, Amb. Sunusi Musa and Abdul’aziz Umar-Ganduje among others.(NAN)