A Kano-based in Kano, Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), said it had received no fewer than 66 cases of gender based violence in the month of October 2022.
CITAD gender officer, Hajiya Zainab Aminu made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on gender based violence in Kano on Thursday.
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She said of the sixty six cases, four were rape related , twenty on sexual abuse, six online harassments, two sexual blackmail and four wife battering while sexual harassment constitute the highest percentage with thirty cases.
Aminu stressed that it is important for families to understand that gender based violence not only has negative consequences on women and girls but on socio-economic as well .
She explained that rape and other forms of gender-based violence inflict huge economic, political and social losses to individuals, households, and nation-states, and continue to be an obstacle to achieving equity, development, peace as well as to the fulfillment of women and girls’ human rights.
“In order to end rape and other forms of gender-based violence, we must invest in prevention, by addressing the root causes of the problem. We must ensure that those who commit rape are brought to justice and thus end impunity”
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She pointed out that, CSOs and the government were committed to ending all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence.
The CITAD gender officer lamented the rise in cases of rape, sexual harassment affecting thousands of women and girls over their lifetimes.
While commending the state government for making notable progress in addressing gender based violence, she reaffirmed the agency’s commitment in working with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations and the private sector, to support the Government to make a much faster progress in this area.
Aminu charged government to map out policies and programs, aimed at promoting zero tolerance for violence against women and children.
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The gender officer called on individuals, and communities to be vigilant by understanding what is happening in the neighborhood, and promptly alerting relevant security agencies on cases of gender based violence.
“Citizens should advocate for combating gender based violence to become governmental priority,“ he said.
