The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano State, has secured 10 convictions in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases within two months.
The agency also reported empowering 15 survivors of Sexual Abuse and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.
The Kano Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Abdullahi Babale, disclosed this during a one-day capacity-building workshop for the first respondents of SGBV in Kano.
The workshop was organised by NAPTIP in collaboration with Georgetown Global Health Nigeria (GGHN) and ACE2-Society for Family Health (SFH-ICSSA3).
According to Babale, “The issue of GBV has remained a serious problem in Kano, with some cultural beliefs affecting efforts to contain it.”
He further revealed that the empowerment items presented to the survivors in celebration of the 16 Days of Activism were approved by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello.
Babale emphasised that the workshop for stakeholders would help in facilitating the fight against the menace.
Speaking at the event, a GBV Officer at GGHN Kano, Mr Aminu Yahaya, reiterated that GBV remains a significant issue in Kano, with cultural beliefs posing challenges to efforts to address it.
A Gender and Social Change Advisor at SFH-ICSSA3, Hajiya Rukayya Yahaya-Muhammad, highlighted respect, confidentiality, and the principle of “do no harm” as key guidelines for responding to GBV cases.
She stated, “The workshop is educating stakeholders on how to respond effectively, particularly in cases where perpetrators are HIV-positive or survivors are of reproductive age, to prevent pregnancy resulting from rape.”
Dr. Abdulwahab Shehu-Usman from Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, urged the public to seek immediate medical assistance after GBV incidents and avoid tampering with evidence.
He stressed, “Our main challenges are stigma and lack of education. People need to be educated and encouraged to claim their rights.”
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