Foundation intensifies consultations ahead of Kano gender justice summit

Lift Africa Foundation has stepped up consultations with government institutions and religious bodies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen gender protection and justice frameworks in Kano State ahead of the Kano Gender Justice Summit scheduled for December 13, 2025. The summit, convened by human rights lawyer Aisha Hamman through Lift Africa Foundation, is expected […]

Lift Africa Foundation has stepped up consultations with government institutions and religious bodies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen gender protection and justice frameworks in Kano State ahead of the Kano Gender Justice Summit scheduled for December 13, 2025.

The summit, convened by human rights lawyer Aisha Hamman through Lift Africa Foundation, is expected to focus on policy dialogue and stakeholder collaboration aimed at improving support systems for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the state. Kano has incorporated aspects of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) framework into its Penal Code Amendment Bill (2021), while discussions on broader legislative alignment remain ongoing.

Speaking on the issue, Hamman emphasised the importance of continued engagement to enhance survivor protection mechanisms.
“Kano has made notable efforts over the years, and sustained collaboration will help ensure that survivors have access to comprehensive legal and institutional support,” she said.

With a population of over 16 million people, Kano currently operates one Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) serving the state. Stakeholders say ongoing consultations are aimed at exploring ways to expand access to survivor support services and improve coordination among relevant agencies.

In the past two weeks, the Lift Africa Foundation team held consultative meetings with the Kano State Council of Ulama led by Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, the Council of Imams, commissioners overseeing Justice, Women Affairs, Education, Budget and Planning, Health, Information, and Religious Affairs, as well as traditional leaders and the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly. According to the Foundation, discussions focused on enhancing cooperation around prosecution processes, child protection, and responses to emerging forms of digital abuse.

Hamman said the engagements were designed to strengthen mutual understanding among institutions and promote coordinated approaches ahead of the summit. She noted that the consultations aim to identify opportunities for improving systems and practices across sectors.

Over the past six years, Lift Africa Foundation has been involved in justice-sector interventions across Northern Nigeria, supporting legal processes related to sexual and gender-based violence and human rights cases. The Foundation also reported supporting education initiatives that facilitated the return of out-of-school children to formal learning and contributing technical input to legislative reform discussions. Hamman received international recognition in 2021 for her advocacy work on ending violence.

The Gender Justice Summit is expected to bring together government officials, religious and traditional leaders, security agencies, civil society groups, youth organisations, and media representatives to discuss collaborative strategies for addressing gender-based violence. Proposed focus areas include legislative development, expansion of survivor support services, strengthening survivor-centred justice pathways, promotion of safe school initiatives, and improved inter-agency coordination.

One of the planned outcomes of the summit is the launch of the Kano Community Declaration for Protection and Justice, a framework through which participating institutions are expected to outline commitments toward advancing protection and justice initiatives.

According to Hamman, “This summit is an opportunity for stakeholders to come together, share perspectives, and strengthen collective responsibility for protection and justice.”

Organisers expressed optimism that the summit will further support ongoing efforts to enhance gender protection systems in Kano State through dialogue, cooperation, and shared commitment.