FG involves traditional rulers to reduce sexual violence in Yobe

The Federal government, in collaboration with the British Council in Nigeria said they are involving Yobe traditional rulers to reduce gender and sexual violence in the state. The Technical Assistant on Sexual Gender Base Violence (SGBV) in the office of the Vice President, Hadiza Aminu Dorayi, disclosed to newsmen during a fact finding mission at […]

The Federal government, in collaboration with the British Council in Nigeria said they are involving Yobe traditional rulers to reduce gender and sexual violence in the state.

The Technical Assistant on Sexual Gender Base Violence (SGBV) in the office of the Vice President, Hadiza Aminu Dorayi, disclosed to newsmen during a fact finding mission at the weekend in Damaturu.

Dorayi said involving the traditional rulers would help to end the sexual violence through campaigns that are acceptable by culture and religions of people in the society.

"In the past, we concentrated on the system “strengthening systems and services providers’ but definitely we need to raise more awareness in future not only through the traditional leaders but religious and opinion leaders.

“Already, a steering committee has been inaugurated in the state. What we needed here is the support of our traditional and religious leaders who are the gatekeepers to the communities to be able to sensitize the public about zero tolerance for sexual violence and assault”, she said.

She noted that the partnership has already mapped out intervention programme to provide support through a ‘referral centre’ in Yobe state where victims and survivors of gender base violence and gender assaults cases can find redress.

"There, the victims can assess healthcare, get link to justice, counselling services, social support as well as drugs. I am here to make sure that the assignment is moving smoothly”, she added.

Doroyi, however, expresses optimism that gender based violence and sexual assaults is not a controversial or contentious issue and therefore must be supported with all vigour.