Mr Yusha’u Abubakar, a Gender Activist, has called on the Kaduna State Government to increase investment in gender programmes and interventions to win the war against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Abubakar, who is the Executive Director, Enhancing Communities Action for Peace, and Better Health Initiative (e-CAPH), made the call in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Abubakar said that the call is in line with the campaign theme of the 2023 16 Days Activism to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV) — “Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.”

The 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is an annual international campaign that runs from Nov. 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day.

The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 as organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to
call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

The global initiative is aimed at raising awareness about the devastating impact of violence on women and children, and the social fabric of the society.

It is also aimed at challenging discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good.

However, the gender activist said that not much would be achieved if governments at all levels do not invest hugely in interventions and programmes to end the scourge.

He said “we checked the state’s 2024 draft budget and realised that not much was provided for GBV in the budget.

“We presented our concerns during the 2024 Budget Townhall, and we are hopeful that the concerns will be captured in the final budget estimate submitted to the state House of Assembly for approval,” he said.

He described GBV as a “power dynamic between the strongest and the weakest”, and stressed the need for survivors to report and hold duty bearers accountable.

He said “e-CAPH is working with relevant government agencies and relevant stakeholders in the state to address increasing GBV incidences.

“What we are doing is to engage relevant stakeholders at different levels – traditional and religious leaders, school pupils, young people, and women groups to collaborate and work together against GBV.

“We are also working with the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other stakeholders to ensure coordination and working as a group as against working in silos.

“We are equally working with government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, including the commissioner, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, to strengthen government’s response to GBV cases in the state.

“However, the bottom line is that government needs to spend more to achieve the desired results,” he said.

Abubakar expressed concern that the number of GBV cases in the state was still high, stressing the need for the government to operationalise Family Courts where GBV cases could be prosecuted.

He said that the courts, if operationalised, would speed up the prosecution of perpetrators and dispense prompt justice to survivors.

He said that an official data from the state shows that 1,051 cases were reported in 2023 in the state, adding however, that only 10 got justice.

“Therefore, this minimal justice for the survivors is significantly contributing to the high number of GBV cases being recorded in the state.

“The Commissioner for Human Services, Hajiya Rabi Salisu has assured us that the Family Courts which have been designated, will begin sitting in January 2024 and we commend the government for this,” Abubakar said.