A significant step towards combating violence against women and girls was taken in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area, and Kujama, Chukun Local Government Area, with a seminar organized by the Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI). Supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, the event focused on equipping men and boys with advocacy skills and fostering community engagement to promote peace and equality.
The seminar, held under the Together We Can Project, drew participants from various sectors, including security personnel, religious and traditional leaders, youth organizations, and community advocates. Among the notable attendees were the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kasuwan Magani and officials from the Kaduna State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Unit (KADVIS).
Programme Highlights
Barrister Rebecca Sako-John led the day’s key sessions, focusing on raising awareness and building advocacy capacity for collaboration and community mobilization. She also facilitated an interactive session on mapping out relevant stakeholders to create support networks for ending violence against women and girls.
In Kujama, the sessions emphasized localized strategies for addressing gender-based violence, with particular attention given to involving community members in sustainable advocacy initiatives. Participants were encouraged to engage with traditional and religious leaders in their efforts to drive change.
Another key highlight was the role-play session facilitated by DSC Suleiman Maiyaki, where participants practiced advocacy techniques and community engagement strategies.
An action plan was drafted during the seminar to guide future advocacy and community engagement efforts in Kasuwan Magani and Kujama, emphasizing sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
Voices from the Seminar
Speaking on the importance of the training, Mr. Uche Brown, Primary Focal Person for the Together We Can Project, said, “This is the third training in this series. The goal is to strengthen the advocacy skills of men and boys, enabling them to become champions in the fight against violence within their communities.”
Juliana Joseph, Programme Manager for the Together We Can Project, highlighted the initiative’s broader objective, saying, “Our aim is to heighten awareness and ensure that community members understand the devastating effects of violence, particularly against women and girls. Today, we are building allies who will help us combat these issues.”
Tukura Bege Audu, a representative from Kaduna State’s He For She Network, emphasized the practical impact of the training: “This training will empower us to address issues like rape and other forms of gender-based violence in our communities.”
John Zakaria of the Kaduna State Civil Society Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence lauded the seminar’s organization and its focus on equipping stakeholders with advocacy techniques. “The emphasis on attitudinal change is crucial for creating long-lasting impact in the fight against gender-based violence,” he stated.
Towards a Violence-Free Community
The seminar underscored the importance of collective action in tackling gender-based violence. With continued efforts like this, the communities of Kasuwan Magani and Kujama are taking crucial steps towards fostering peace and protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls.
DSC Suleiman Maiyaki, who facilitated the role-play session, summarized the program’s impact, saying, “This seminar provided participants with practical tools and strategies for advocacy and community engagement. By empowering men and boys to become advocates for change, we are laying the foundation for a safer and more inclusive society.”
