The leading Islamic Organisation, Nasrulahi-L- Fatih Society, NASFAT in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF is set to commence a campaign to tackle Violence Against Women and the Girl child in Nigeria.
The project is a EU-UN SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE ON ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS CAMPAIGN in collaboration with UNICEF.
The partnership aims to provide a bigger platform and opportunities to enhance commitment to stamp out various forms of violence and abuses against women and the girl child in the society.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is an abuse of rights that poses consequences on the health and wellbeing of the survivors or death of the victims.
The partnership according to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of NASFAT, AbdulAkeem Yusuf will be for three months: from April to June 2021 and the campaign will be taken to communities across Nigeria in five States and the Federal Capital Territory FCT viz: Lagos in the South west, Cross River in the South South, Ebonyi in the South East, Adamawa in the North East, Sokoto in the North west and Abuja in the North Central.
The Programme as he saidb focuses on educating the stakeholders of the society, advocacy visits to religious and community leaders, sensitization programmes for Men, Women and Youth leaders on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in order to curb gender-based violence.
The statement adds that the Sensitisation exercise will be taken to selected schools in the focus states as well as Madrasahs to educate the boys and girls on how to identify actions that constitute violence, protect themselves and report.
In addition, boys will also be sensitised on the need for them to be the protectors and not perpetrators of the evil acts.
The World Health Organization,
WHO (2014) and World Bank (2018) reported that 35% of females globally have experienced one form of violence or the other in Nigeria, harmful practices against women is underlined by socio-cultural beliefs and practices
Violence Against children, VAC survey (NPCPC 2014) asserted that violence against girl child is widespread in the country.
One amongst five girls have experienced physical violence and 25% have experienced sexual violence.
More than Seventy (70.5%) percent of girls have reported at least one incident of sexual abuse before the age of 18.
Further, data revealed that Nigeria has the largest number of child brides in Africa - currently, 43% of girls are married before age 18, and 17% are married before they turn 15.
Unfortunately, despite the great percentage of gender-based violence in all its forms and women rights violations; ignorance and lack of awareness are the main problems and in many cases, victims are not always willing to speak out, stand up for their rights nor the society stand up for them or admit with their rights even if the law does.
The EU supports five Recipient UN Organizations – UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, UNICEF & UNESCO - to implement the Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria which is aimed at ending all forms of violence against women and girls
According to the NASFAT/UNICEF project lead Alhaja Ganiyat Babalola, NASFAT’s collaboration with UNICEF dated back to 21st July 2017, with a signed partnership agreement on Ending Violence against Children Campaign, a programme that was diligently carried out in phases with proven records of remarkable success.
The Spotlight Initiative on Ending violence against women and girls Campaign is in line with SDG Target 5.2 - Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
And also SDG Target 5.3 - Eliminate all harmful practices such as child, early or forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
The President of NASFAT, Mr Niyi Yusuf while contributing added that all the efforts at ensuring welfare of the citizen is in line with the focus and policy thrust of NASFAT, which is HELD (Health, Education, Livelihood Dawah). The society is fully committed to wellbeing of her members and the general public. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said "if any one of you sees what is not good, he should correct or change it with his hands. If he cannot do that, he should use his tongue'
Islam is a religion of peace rooted in kindness and fair treatment of mankind and would not accept any form of abuse regardless of gender, particularly abuse of women and girls in the society. NASFAT therefore enjoins all human beings irrespective of race, tribe or religion to reject the negative attitude of subjecting women and girls to any form of Violence and abuse because of the devastating effects.
NASFAT Women Management Committee, being led by the Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Suwebat Kupolati and the Children Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Faosat Lawal are fully prepared for successful implementation of the programme.
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