A team of youth under the aegis of ‘Women Voice and Leadership (WVL) has claimed that following their intervention and advocacy against gender based violence in Bauchi state, its prevalence has reduced drastically in the state.
The group made the claim while speaking with our correspondent after their advocacy rally held in villages of Ganjuwa local government area of the state led by the team leaders Fana Kauja, Ishaya George Nuhu and Kuulwaamsu Esly Yohanna.
According to them, the Women Voice and Leadership intervention which is a project funded by Actionaid through Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) and implemented by ‘Child Is Gold Foundation’ intends to help victims of gender based violence to get justice and psycho-social support before being reunited to their respective communities.
They said the team discussed with the village heads on the increase of gender based violence cases in their communities adding that the community leaders have expressed commitment to tackling the menace by reviving community disciplinary communities known as ‘Zauren Sulhu’.
“During the peaceful match, the team attention was drawn to a case that is in the divisional police station of a girl who was captured, drugged and gang-raped by some teenagers in the same community and both the victim and the perpetrator were in the custody of the police.
“The WVL team went to the station to pick the case. The team called the legal team to report the case and start working on it.
“Youth expressed appreciation and said since the coming of the WVL intervention they can boldly say the prevalence of gender based violence has reduced from 100 % to 40% and with the help of their village heads who gave maximum support in forming the ‘zauren sulhu’’. Said the group.
