By Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
A Non-Governmental Organization, Great Gender Grassroots Foundation, in collaboration with the Side by Side Gender Justice Movement, has conducted a sensitization program on gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State.
Addressing participants, Hon. Leah Olusiyi Solomon, Deputy National Chairman of the Side by Side Movement for Gender Justice, described gender-based violence as a crime and a grave violation of human rights. She emphasized the urgent need to address the issue, which disproportionately affects women and girls.
“Gender-based violence is a perpetual assault on human dignity, depriving people of their rights. While both men and women may face GBV, women and girls constitute the majority of victims and survivors,” Solomon said.
She highlighted the widespread nature of GBV, stressing that it cuts across all social, economic, and religious boundaries. “Most of the violence is perpetrated by individuals the victims know and trust, including husbands, boyfriends, neighbors, and colleagues,” she added.
Solomon noted that domestic and sexual violence are severely underreported due to cultural and societal norms that normalize abuse, particularly in domestic settings. She outlined various forms of GBV, including physical abuse, verbal attacks, sexual violence, denial of inheritance, female genital mutilation, and forced marriages.
She attributed the causes of GBV to factors such as poverty, cultural and religious practices, substance abuse, and gender inequality. Solomon also proposed preventive measures, including awareness campaigns, promoting women’s empowerment, involving men and boys in advocacy, and challenging gender stereotypes.
“To reduce the prevalence of GBV in Nigeria, we must strengthen access to information and justice for victims and survivors,” she said.
Hon. Elsie Obadiah Yaruta, Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, commended the initiative and called for greater emphasis on girl-child education as a means to combat GBV.
“Many girls are denied their right to education and are forced into early marriages. This is a form of violence that hinders their potential. We must provide equal opportunities for girls to access education and leadership roles,” Yaruta stated.
She called on parents to support their daughters’ education, emphasizing that women are capable of excelling in any field traditionally dominated by men.
Participants also shared their perspectives on addressing GBV. The Village Head of Kachalla Sembe emphasized the importance of respecting women, describing them as the bedrock of families and society.
One participant, Eglah Ibrahim, highlighted the impact of GBV on families, urging parents to treat all children equally, regardless of biological ties. Another attendee, Mrs. Elizabeth Joshua, called for mutual understanding and respect between men and women, advocating for love and harmony in households.
The program, which included a road walk from the Ministry of Environment to the Nigeria Union of Teachers venue in Jalingo, featured public education campaigns aimed at raising awareness of GBV and its devastating effects.
According to UN statistics, over 200 million women worldwide experience rights violations annually, with Nigeria accounting for a significant share. Organizers of the event expressed hope that sustained advocacy and collaboration would contribute to eradicating GBV in communities across the country.