A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the Community Dialogue Committee (CDC), inaugurated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response clubs in 40 girls’ schools across Sokoto State on Wednesday.
Supported by Global Rights, the Kuka Centre, and other organizations, the CDC has selected participating schools from Gagi, Durbawa, Tsaki, and Malamawa communities in Sokoto South and Kware local government areas.
In his address, CDC Chairman Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi stated that the initiative aims to provide early warnings, establish referral pathways, and break the silence surrounding GBV incidents in school environments.
Umar-Jabbi, who is also the District Head of Gagi in Sokoto South Local Government Area, mentioned that school principals and guidance and counseling teachers were involved in the clubs.
He highlighted that these clubs aim to improve communication channels, protect students from all forms of abuse and GBV, and foster safer school environments.
He added that the selected schools include those under the Sokoto State Female Education Board, Teachers Service Board, and Arabic and Islamic Education Board.
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According to him, this training seeks to impart knowledge and challenge cultural beliefs, traditions, and misconceptions about GBV within society.
Umar-Jabbi emphasized that the initiative would also strengthen the enforcement of the Child Protection Law and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law enacted in the state.
“This initiative will encourage female education at all levels, improve school enrollment, retention, and completion rates in the state, and create GBV-free school environments,” he said.
“It will also help address shortages in the healthcare sector by promoting female manpower, ultimately reducing maternal mortality and other healthcare challenges.
“Additionally, the initiative will support the development of female professionals in other sectors across the country,” Umar-Jabbi added.
Mr. Edosa Oviawe, the Programme Manager of Global Rights, praised the initiative as a positive step towards curbing GBV in Nigerian communities.
Oviawe stated that Global Rights is committed to supporting GBV awareness activities and strategies to combat the issue, noting that school clubs serve as valuable starting points for eradicating GBV.
He encouraged health and school agencies to extend the training to additional schools, allowing more students to benefit, as GBV cases affect all levels.
Alhaji Abdullahi Marafa, the Director of Research and Statistics in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, described the training and inauguration as a landmark achievement in tackling GBV in school communities.
Marafa reiterated the state government’s commitment to raising educational standards, highlighting that Governor Ahmad Aliyu has prioritized education as part of his administration’s nine-point agenda.
The event included a question-and-answer session led by the Director, along with lectures and experience sharing on GBV issues.
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