The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) has empowered 15 survivors of Sexual Abuse and Gender Based Violence (SBGV) in Kano State.
The Kano Zonal Commander of the agency, Abdullahi Babale, disclosed this during a One-Day Capacity Building Workshop for First Respondents of SGBV held in Kano.
The workshop was organised by NAPTIP in collaboration with Georgetown Global Health Nigeria(GGHN), and ACE2-Society for Family Health (SFH- ICHSSA3).
Babale explained that the empowerment items presented to the survivors to mark the 16 days of Activism were approved by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello.
While noting that the agency had secured 10 convictions regarding GBV cases in Kano within two months, Babale pointed out that the workshop for the stakeholders would help in facilitating the fight against the menace.
Mr Aminu Yahaya, a GBV Officer at GGHN Kano, hinted that the issue of GBV has remained a serious issue in Kano with some cultural beliefs affecting efforts to curtail it.
Gender and Social Change Advisor, SFH- ICHSSA3, Rukayya Yahaya Muhammad, highlighted respect and confidentiality as some of the guiding principles needed while responding to GBV cases.
“The workshop is educating stakeholders on how to respond effectively, particularly in cases where perpetrators are HIV positive or survivors are of reproductive age, to prevent pregnancy resulting from rape,” she stated.
Dr Abdulwahab Shehu-Usman, from Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, urged the public to seek immediate medical assistance after GBV incidents and avoid tampering with evidence.
“Our main challenges are stigma and lack of education. People need to be educated and encouraged to claim their rights,” he said.
The workshop witnessed a large turnout of traditional and religious leaders, journalists and security personnel, among others