An NGO known as International Alert has trained women in peacebuilding and prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kaduna State.
International Alert, with funding from the United Kingdom Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) is implementing the project; Adalchi Shine Kwanciyar Hankali in Hausa Language which means(Achieving Justice Promotes Stability) to address the challenges of peace.
The capacity-building workshop on conflict, gender sensitivity and advocacy, was designed for members of the Women Peace Network (WOPEN) who were selected from four LGAs of the project’s intervention in Kaduna.
The network comprised of women in leadership, women from different ethnic and religious groups and also women from the Police, NSCDC, among others.
Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the workshop, the Senior Project Officer of International Alert, Mr Sunday Momoh, said Kaduna and Zamfara states have over the years experienced conflicts and violence.
He lamented that conflict and violence have impacted on peace, stability, access to justice and socio-economic development of the states and other parts of the Northwest and eastern region of the country.
“This situation has deteriorated over the last decade, and increasingly so since 2019. The violence is rooted in competition over natural resources, the continued conflicts have continued to impact on communities with vulnerable and marginalised groups being most affected.
“Women and girls are exposed to all forms of abuse with no platforms to address it, hold perpetrators accountable, or access to justice and other basic services and participation in policies, decision making as it affects them,” Momoh stressed.
According to him, empowering people in communities with information, skills and building capacities particularly of women and other marginalized groups would produce inclusive institutions, cohesive communities and accountable institutions.
Momoh disclosed that the project was aimed at supporting stabilisation, local justice and SGBV prevention through broadening inclusion, accountability and managing tensions to reduce violence in Zamfara and Kaduna states.
He explained that the workshop was also aimed at equipping the participants with skills, and provides knowledge to understand the basic concepts of conflict, gender sensitivity and SGBV.
A participant, Chairperson of WOPEN, Mrs Laura Bemo said their members will ensure sensitisation and advocacy on abuse of children including the males.
She mentioned that male children are also sexually abused, while covering it up because of the thinking and mentality they were meant to believe that ‘men don’t cry out’.
Similarly, a Police Officer, Inspector Constance Didia of the Sabon Tasha Divisional Headquarters said whenever SGBV is talked about, it was usually tagged to only females.
“My take home from this workshop is to ensure sensitisation to also the men on SGBV. They have the right to speak up and the law will fight for them.”
She said the males were also abused while they die in silence.
Dominica Nwabufo
