By Ehis Agbon, Kaduna, North West Nigeria.
The recently concluded Capacity Building Training for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Service Providers in Kaduna State, organized by Save The Children International, has instilled hope in survivors, signaling a brighter future ahead.
The comprehensive training, which centered on the provision of services to survivors and the effective management of GBV data, included sessions on data collection, registration, reporting, and analysis. The event saw participation from service providers across the public sector, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations, including members of the Technical Working Group of the Open Government Partnership.
Tanko Mohammed, the State Team Lead for Save The Children International in Kaduna, welcomed the participants, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting victims and survivors from stigmatization and victimization. Mohammed highlighted the essential role of accurate data management in equipping service providers and government entities to address GBV issues effectively and develop robust policies for implementation. He expressed gratitude to the attendees for their dedication and participation in the training.
During the training, participants received in-depth instruction on GBV Data Management and Referral mechanisms, as well as coordination strategies among service providers. Juliana Umaru, the Gender and Inclusion Coordinator for Save the Children International Nigeria, under the Expanding Social Protection for Inclusive Development (ESPID) project, provided a comprehensive overview of GBV. She defined gender-based violence as “an umbrella term for any harmful act perpetrated against a person’s will, based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females.”
The training concluded on a positive note, with participants committing to apply their newly acquired knowledge to enhance the welfare of GBV victims and survivors. They also pledged to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the fight against GBV in Kaduna State, fostering a supportive environment for survivors and reinforcing the commitment of service providers to address this pressing issue effectively.
