Gender-Based Violence menace has been recorded in all spheres of life irrespective of gender sadly, women tend to be more at the receiving end. In this report, Maryam Mukhtar writes how a young woman escaped abuse from the head of the department where she worked in Katsina
Gender-based Violence refers to the violation of women’s or men’s rights through abuse or placing undue burden on them, or dishonouring the dignity their Creator bestowed upon them, as reported by the Hausa Dictionary of Bayero University, Kano.
In a 2006 report published on the website of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan described gender-based violence against women and girls as a problem that could be equated with a pandemic in scale.
It is also reported that at least one in three women globally is beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.
Women are an extremely important and invaluable gender in any society. They are central to the success and development of any community, according to Hannatu Mohammed, the Chairperson of the Katsina State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, during an interview with her recently.
Hajiya Hannatu Mohammed opined that if women are given the proper attention and care, a prosperous society will certainly emerge in all aspects of life such as economy, education, and social affairs. On the contrary, neglecting women leads to undesirable outcomes today.
There are various forms of Gender-Based Violence, some committed in the name of tradition, which varies among societies. These include forced marriage, denial of education, sending children to hawk goods in markets and parks, domestic servitude, harsh punishment, gender discrimination, and ignorance which plays a major role in abuse, especially against women according to Professor Bahir Aliyu Sallau of the Hausa Department, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.
He also noted that the problem of violence against women has a long history and has been ongoing for a long time.
Hindatu, one of the survivors of abuse at the hands of her departmental head, described the distress and hardship she experienced when the incident nearly happened to her.
According to her, “At first, we started a romantic relationship, as I was single. I truly loved him. But gradually, he started acting and saying things I didn’t understand.
“One day, he clearly showed what he meant, and I began to pull away from his affairs. Since I was under his supervision at work, he started to express hatred and resentment toward me for denying him the opportunity.
“The department head began to set traps and use different tactics to abuse me. This attempt eventually cost me my job”.
The United Nations, in its campaign to end violence against women, stated: “Violence against women is a sign of historical inequality between men and women”.
Katsina State, located in Northwestern Nigeria, is predominantly inhabited by Hausa – Fulani people, and gender-based violence occurs in various forms in the State.
Violence is a pressing issue in the region, prompting the government, organisations, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and stakeholders to unite in fighting the menace to ensure progress and sustainable economic development, especially considering that Katsina is among the States facing security challenges and a high rate of gender-based violence against women and children.
Efforts by the Katsina State Government to tackle abuse include enacting a gender-based violence law, signed by Governor Mallam Dikko Umar Radda in December 2023 (VAPP Act), to prosecute offenders and protect the rights of women and children.
A special court was also established to handle gender-based violence cases, along with a centre dedicated to assisting victims.
The center reports abuse to the police for investigation, ensures victims’ medical care, gathers evidence, and counsels survivors, empowering them with skills and financial support to become self-reliant.
On December 15, 2024, the First Lady of Katsina State, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda, declared that the government would not stand by while abuses continued. She emphasised that marriage is based on love and care, not a license for men to abuse their wives or children.
She announced that offenders would be publicly named in newspapers, TV, and radio so the world could see them.
Hajiya Rabi Muhammad, a senior officer in the Department of Gender-Based Violence under the Ministry of Women Affairs, said government efforts include creating a dedicated department for gender violence, educating people about mutual rights, counseling victims, guiding them towards a better path, and ensuring justice is served.
Hajiya Hannatu Muhammad, a women and children’s rights activist and head of the women journalists’ association in Katsina, stressed the importance of caring for and protecting women and children.
She cited examples of gender-based violence and the association’s efforts to restore women’s and children’s rights in schools, government and private workplaces, and homes.
The Katsina State NAWOJ Chairperson commended Governor Radda for his swift response to women and children’s issues, such as reforming vocational schools and dismissing a secondary school principal caught impregnating his student.
Dr. Muhammad Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), an Islamic scholar and Commander-General of the Katsina State Hisbah Corps, pointed out that Islam never condoned violence against women.
He cited verses and Hadiths that highlight women’s elevated status in Islam and the obligation to care for them.
Usman also discussed causes of gender violence, including lack of relationship education, poverty, failure to investigate before marrying off daughters, failure of parents to report offenders, weak courts, and bribery by perpetrators.
He suggested solutions such as public awareness campaigns, support for vulnerable individuals (especially women), banning child street hawking, and stricter punishments for offenders.
Community leaders who serve as the people’s guardians also have a key role to play. They should report offenders to authorities, even if the victims refuse to press charges.
Alhaji Abdulmutalib Rabe Kafur, a traditional ruler, stated that for the fight against gender-based violence to succeed, community leaders must be empowered to enforce justice based on Islamic principles and Hausa-Fulani traditions. This includes investigating suitors before marriage and compelling men to take responsibility for educating, nurturing, and caring for their children, while punishing abusers regardless of their wealth, position, or social status.
