Group Launches Project On Gender-Based Violence In Kwara

A Kwara-based non-governmental organization, Rising Child Foundation launched ‘Stamp Out GBV in Kwara’ a project on  Gender-Based Violence in Kwara, on Wednesday.

The project according to the group is supported by the Global Youth Movement,  which would cover series of advocacy programmes and action plans toward the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in Kwara.

The Executive Director of Rising Child Foundation, Taibat Hussain, said on Wednesday, GBV can manifest in several forms but the most prevalent ones especially in Nigeria are domestic/physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation.

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Rising Child Foundation felt there is a need to introduce a new approach to the activism against Gender-based Violence not only in Kwara but across the country.

According to her, GBV cases are becoming more rampant in many African societies including Nigeria, with little or no consequence for the perpetrators. Almost every day, we read or hear stories of victims and survivors of GBV in the media.

She makes references to the case of Barakat Bello, a 19-year-old girl who was gang-raped and murdered in Ibadan, and Uwa Omozuwa who was raped inside a church in Benin, Edo State.

“As part of the project, we shall organise a broad-based training for 25 selected young ladies that will be regarded as GBV Champions.”

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They will be educated on GBV and its implications on society, trained on how to use social media – majorly Twitter – to advocate GBV-related issues, and what they can do to curb the spread of GBV in their respective communities,” she said.

Mrs Hussain stated that the group will work in local communities across Kwara to create awareness on GBV issues, track and report cases of violent abuse against women, and advocate for redress for victims and punishment for the offenders.

“we will embark on market drive, organise radio shows, reach out to the community and religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders to create awareness on GBV and seek their support and cooperation towards the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.”

As part of the recommendation, “Security agencies should handle GBV cases professionally without shaming the victims.”

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“Similarly, parents should desist from preventing their abused children from speaking up under the guise of shame.”

She however solicits the support of the State Government and other relevant bodies for collaboration with other civil society groups working on GBV issues in Kwara.

Government and other relevant stakeholders must invest in building the capacity of GBV service providers to meet the increasing demand for support for victims of GBV, she added.