CSJ pays advocacy visit to media outfits, Government agencies and other key stakeholders in Adamawa and Sokoto States on gender-based violence.

The centre for social justice in a bid to continue her engagement with governance frameworks for the mainstreaming of gender and vulnerability in the plans, policies and budget continuum, paid advocacy visits to various key stakeholders in the fight against SGBV in Sokoto and Adamawa States. The advocacy visits which is part of an ongoing project with the vision to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls sponsored by Spotlight Initiative was targeted at seeking the cooperation of the stakeholders in ensuring the passage of a VAPP Bill in the afore mentioned states.

On the 25^th of May 2015, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan passed the VAPP Bill into law. The law prohibits female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices. It prohibits abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices. It is at this backdrop that the Centre for Social Justice started to canvas for the domestication of this law in Sokoto and Adamawa States who constitute the states with highest record in various forms of SGBV/VAWG/HP. Data from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) in 2018 shows a high rate of emotional and spousal violence in Adamawa State. The same sources also show a high degree of teenage marriage in Sokoto which is accompanied by high number of school drop outs among girls.

In Adamawa, advocacy visits were paid to FOMBINA Radio, Adamawa Television and Gothel Communications being the biggest media outfits in Adamawa State. The management of FOMBINA Radio expressed gratitude to CSJ for the initiative given that it is in line with some programs already carried out by the organisation. The Managing Director in his remarks hoped that this will be the beginning of a relationship that will result to great things in the State. The management of the other two media outfits both expressed readiness to partner CSJ in the fight against gender-based violence in the state. Visits were also made to the Attorney General of the state as well as the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Maxwell Gidado. Prof Gidado in his remarks pointed out the current administration’s efforts towards ending the scourge of gender-based violence in the state. One of the standout points he made was the extra effort put in by the Governor to ensure every child of school age is found in school.

Also, a visit was made to the District Head of Girei area, Dr Ahmed I. Mustapha who welcomed the team. In his remarks, Dr Mustapha gave his assurance on supporting the fight against SGBV as it is a problem he has had to settle over the years. The security outfits were not left out a visit was also paid to the Police Headquarters Yola. The Commissioner of police CP Aliyu Adamu Alhaji was excited with the visit and promised to keep in touch with the team whenever a new development arises that needs attention.

In Sokoto, a visit was paid to Garkuwa Radio and Vision FM who can boast of having the highest number of subscribers in the State. The management of Garkuwa radio asked that CSJ should be part of its weekly interactive programs on air which seeks to enlighten the rural populace on their rights and how to hold stakeholders accountable. The general manager of NTA Sokoto, a media outfit which was also visited by CSJ gave a guarantee of support to CSJ in the fight against SGBV in the state. The team from CSJ also visited the Attorney General of the State who stated that the VAPP bill is currently in the House of Assembly and will soon be out for public hearing. Also, the police and civil defence corps were also visited. The Commissioner of Police in the State promised the establishment of a gender desk in all commands across the state to provide capable hands to manage any possible case. The Commandant of the Civil Defence Corps in Sokoto also pledged his allegiance in the fight against SGBV in the state.