A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) ‘Child is Gold Foundation’ in collaboration with ‘Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) has recently led a massive rally against domestic violence and sexual assaults especially the ones involving women in Miya and Kafin madaki villages of Ganduwa local government of Bauchi state.
The rally which was under the project tagged ‘Women Voice and Leadership (WVL) funded by Actionaid was meant to sensitize the communities on the dangers of domestic violence and sexual assaults as well as how to tackle the menace.
The rally was led by the coordinator of the project Barrister Fana Kauja and Adminstration officer 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, our 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.