The Kano State Government, in collaboration with the African Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) and the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), has launched a project aimed at preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) against women within the agricultural value chain.
The initiative, tagged “Project Launch and Inception Meeting on Mainstreaming GBV Prevention and Response into the Agricultural Value Chain in Kano State,” was launched on Tuesday as stakeholders convened to strengthen measures for preventing violence and protecting women engaged in agriculture.
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The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Amina Sani, who launched the project on behalf of the state government, urged community leaders to end the culture of silence and stigma surrounding GBV.
Sani said concealing cases of GBV makes it difficult for authorities and relevant organisations to identify victims, provide timely assistance and ensure survivors receive adequate protection and support.
She particularly appealed to community elders to speak out against GBV whenever such cases occur.
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The Commissioner said identifying and reporting cases would enable relevant authorities to document the number of survivors and victims, provide appropriate care and support, and develop effective interventions.
She noted that the state government was also implementing programmes designed to improve the economic well-being of women and strengthen their capacity to become financially independent.
According to her, 5,200 women receive N50,000 monthly under the Women Economic Empowerment Programme to start or expand their businesses.
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Sani said economic empowerment remained an important component of efforts to improve women’s livelihoods and reduce vulnerabilities, particularly among women participating in agricultural activities.
Punch