Scaling Up the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence: The Push for Localized Action

By Umar Faruk Birnin kebbi 

Comrade Nasiru Idris, Secretary of the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence, is leading the charge to take the fight against GBV to the grassroots level. In an exclusive telephone interview with Series News Online, Idris emphasized the need for localized action, citing the significant number of GBV cases originating from rural areas.

"The current efforts are often confined to urban centres, leaving rural areas underserved," Idris noted. "This disparity underscores the need for localized action, ensuring that vital resources and awareness reach the most vulnerable communities."

The primary objective of the 16 Days of Activism is to raise awareness about the devastating impact of GBV, educate the public on reporting procedures, and encourage support for survivors while eliminating stigmatization. However, Idris pointed out that vital resources shared during this period, such as hotlines and referral pathways, predominantly reach urban areas.

To address this disparity, Comrade Nasir Idris urged the state government to engage local government chairmen, their spouses, and influential figures in each local government area to actively participate in the 16 Days of Activism. By doing so, awareness and essential resources can be brought directly to rural communities, helping to reduce GBV incidents.

Comrade Nasir hopes that the State government, under Comrade Dr. Nasiru Idris Kauran Gwandu's leadership, will support this cause by mandating all 21 local government chairmen to observe the 16 Days of Activism in their respective areas.

In a related development, the 16 Days of Activism Template Harmonization meeting was held at the Ministry of Women's Affairs on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi. The meeting aimed to consolidate activities from Civil Society Organizations into a unified template, streamlining efforts and ensuring a comprehensive approach to the campaign.

Key stakeholders, including Dr. Suwaiba Salihu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women's Affairs, emphasized the importance of prioritizing rural areas and monitoring CSOs to ensure optimal outcomes.

By adopting a more inclusive and multi-sectoral approach, stakeholders aim to create a safer, more supportive environment for GBV survivors and ultimately reduce the incidence of GBV throughout the state. This localized strategy is critical, as GBV is best addressed when multiple sectors and organizations work together to create and implement unified prevention, response, and risk mitigation strategies.