SGBV: NGO sensitises Zamfara residents on harmful cultural practices

On Aug 31, 2023

A Zamfara-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), has sensitised residents of four communities against harmful cultural practices and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Musa Umar, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Gusau on Thursday.

Umar said the sensitisation took place in Tsafe, Bilbis, Birnin-magaji and Nasarawa-godel communities under Birnin Magaji and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.

“The sensitisation was conducted in collaboration with Ukaid funded organisation, International Alert under a project Promoting Stability, Access to Justice and Accountability. The tittle of the events was “Develop and support implementation of community-based initiatives to address harmful cultural norms and practices that promotes SGBV. The participants across the four communities comprised 160 traditional and religious leaders, youths, women groups, people with disability and minority groups among others”, he said.

Umar also noted that the participants were sensitized on how to change harmful cultural norms and practices with a view of reducing SGBV in the society.

“We are hopeful that our participants will extend the messages to their respective homes and localities,” he added.

Also speaking, the State Project Officer VAI, Mr Buhari Moriki, said the sensitisation was aimed at raising people’s awareness on how to change their cultural practices which cause SGBV.

Moriki noted that there are several cultural and traditional practices in the rural communities that contribute to violence against women. He appealed to stakeholders to work as a team to sensitise other community members on dangers associated with SGBV.

Wumi/NAN