The Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF is seeking the commitment and support of Kaduna State government in preventing gender based violence in the State.
AMDF, a non governmental organisation, under its preventing Gender Based Violence, GBV project paid an advocacy visit to the Commissioner, Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Hafsat Baba in Kaduna to discuss violence against women and girls.
According to the Executive Director, AMDF, Mr. Iliya Kure, the visit was to officially introduce the project to the Commissioner to seek commitment from the ministry and the government to continue with same vigor, its support in preventing gender based violence in the state.
Kure noted that the 12 months project
on advocacy and community mobilisation around violence against women and girls has already commenced in Kajuru and Kaduna North Local government areas of the State.
He said they are also establishing a system in the community aimed at encouraging people to report cases on violence.
“The community people on their own can start reporting cases against the norm of covering up due to the fact that certain community members are involved,” Kure said.
Engaging Community Volunteers
The Executive Director further stated that, the project would also engage community volunteers to sensitise people in the community on issues of violence against women and girls, as well as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP like.
Kure acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry in tackling GBV but however pointed out a gap that exist in the communities around knowledge of the VAPP law.
“People are not aware and the sensitisation is not enough as people are inadequately informed, hence, more needs to be done in that aspect”, he stressed.
In her remarks, the Commissioner, Hajiya Hafsat Baba appreciated the contributions of AMDF towards preventing GBV in the state, noting that it is one of the key issues that concerns the state government and other key partners.
Creating Awareness
The Commissioner who acknowledged the low level of knowledge of the existing VAPP law amonsgt residents, called on relevant organisations to support government’s effort in creating awareness on existence of the law and efforts to tackle GBV.
“Though VAPP law is in existence, we still have a lot to do. I agree that there is a gap in terms of people knowing and even believing in the existence of the VAPP Law. This is a huge gap because of the level of literacy, and also lack of constant community engagement but as you all know, government cannot do it alone, hence the need for organizations like yours to support government’s effort,” she said.
She applauded the involvement of community volunteers in the AMDF project, noting that as members of these communities, the volunteers would work towards adding value to their communities.
The Commissooner said, “We are in support of the work you are doing, we believe it will go a long way in reducing the cases of GBV we have in the state.”
The Project titled: Advocating for the Prevention of Gender Based Violence is being implemented by AMDF with support from Rise Up, a project of Public Health Institute, John Hopkins University, USA.
Confidence Okwuchi
