Over 50 Shari’a Court Judges from Kano and Kaduna States met in Kaduna to discuss a new practice direction aimed at easing the administration of justice as part of efforts to combat the growing cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the two states.
The Acting Grand Khadi of Kano State, Kadi Mukhtar Muhammad Kunti, revealed that the event was organised to educate Shari’a Judges on new measures and rules introduced to reduce the burden of witnesses on survivors.
He disclosed that the new practice direction, gazetted on February 25, 2025, is intended to enrich the existing provisions in the state’s civil procedure rules to ease the adjudication of GBV cases.
The new law provides an alternative for cases of abuse that occur at home or in locations where there are no witnesses. It applies to all Upper and Shari’a Courts in the state and covers all civil cases.
He also urged the Kano State Government to join the 35 other states in the federation that have domesticated and implemented the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to curb the increasing cases of gender-based violence in the state.
The one-day joint session, supported by the Ford Foundation, brought together Shari’a Judges from both Kaduna and Kano States to deliberate on the Islamic perspective on preventing gender-based violence. It was organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) in collaboration with the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue, Bayero University, Kano (CICID).
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In her presentation at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children, and Disabled in Kaduna State, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani, represented by the Director of Planning, Alhaji Yakubu Muhammad, challenged the Shari’a Judges in both states to tackle the menace of GBV, describing it as a grave violation of human rights.
“This joint session is a collective testimony to our responsibilities to foster an environment where every woman and child can feel safe, respected, and protected in the states,” she said.
She therefore urged the Shari’a Court Judges to always be guided by compassion, integrity, and a unified purpose in influencing change and advocating for justice in the two states.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Human Services in Kaduna State, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, disclosed that the state government has introduced several interventions to prevent GBV and that adequate measures are in place to support survivors.
Describing the surge in GBV cases, particularly in Kaduna, as alarming, Dr Terngu Gwar, the State Coordinator at the National Human Rights Commission, stated that the commission is actively collaborating with stakeholders to prevent GBV and ensure justice for survivors.
He called on the judiciary to improve access to justice and consider mechanisms that enhance the protection of survivors.
Earlier, the Director of Partnerships and Communication at the Development Research and Projects Centre, Hassan Aliyu Karofi, highlighted the centre’s commitment—supported by the Ford Foundation—to continuing engagement with judicial stakeholders in order to strengthen justice administration and prevent GBV in Kano and Kaduna States.
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