North-West SP Actors Identify Solution to GBV Issues

Members of Social Protection Platforms (SP) from the implementing states of Kaduna, Jigawa, and Zamfara have designed a more effective approach to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the North-West region of Nigeria.

The solutions were developed during a three-day training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representatives from the three states on Gender-responsive social protection and Gender-Based Violence.

The training was organized by Save the Children International and held in Kano.

According to Juliana Umaru, Save the Children’s Coordinator for Gender and Inclusion, the training aimed to build the capacity of participants on GBV, sensitization, and community awareness creation to increase the availability of GBV service providers for survivors.

Umaru emphasized that the training would also provide participants with the capacity to understand GBV, gender-focused SP, and the roles of various stakeholders in mitigating GBV, as well as SP interventions in reducing GBV cases.

During his speech, Comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafin-Gana, Chairman of the Jigawa Social Protection Platform (JISOP), identified under-reporting of GBV, inadequate Sexual Referral Centres, high levels of unemployment, and low awareness creation as major challenges in reducing GBV in the state.

Comrade Kafin-Gana proposed addressing these challenges through providing adequate justice for victims, increasing awareness and sensitization among citizens, establishing more SARC centers for victims, and providing more skills acquisition centers across the state.

Describing Social Protection programs as effective solutions to Gender-Based Violence, Comrade Kafin-Gana urged governments at all levels to redouble their efforts on Social Protection programs to promote peaceful and better community development in Nigeria.