Tracereporters –The Women Mediation Network in Kaduna State has expanded its reach by hosting wives of Local Government Chairmen in the state and training them on how to key into the gender-based violence (GBV) campaign and action in their respective local government areas.
Gender-based Violence is violence that melts on human beings based on their gender. Women are a strong breed and because of that, they can withstand a lot of obstacles.
Prof. Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf, Chairperson of the Network in Kaduna State, emphasized that the training was necessary considering the influential position these women hold in their communities.
She noted that with their support, the network can further amplify its impact in combating GBV.
The Women Mediation Network, with support from UN Women and CLEEN Foundation, has been actively engaging with communities on issues around conflict resolution and GBV since 2023, achieving significant impact in the process.
Prof. Hauwa’u further added that another reason for bringing the women together was also to see how the network could be expanded to the remaining local government areas as it currently represented in six (Chikun, Jema’a, Kaduna South, Zaria, Kajuru and Igabi) local government areas of the State.
“We help communities to ensure cases don’t escalate, and as wives of Chairmen, they are the first contact point in their respective communities”, she noted.
She opined that they also serve as engine room for the success of their husbands at the community level.
Hauwa’u, who is a Professor of Criminology and the first female Professor at Kaduna State University (KASU), also charged the new crops of women leaders to always be time-conscious and set an example for others.
“Don’t be like other politicians who don’t care about time. Let it be that you will be among those that will respect time.
“You must make a difference in your time. Let it be that your regime is different, so you begin to change the narrative. It means the change begins with you.
“You need to change the attitude of Almighty politicians who distance themselves from women in their communities. You are the one they are looking forward to. You need to be there for them.
“With the LG autonomy, the government is going back to the people. I’m not saying you should share money with them when they come for assistance; rather, let them know that they can achieve a lot by themselves. This can only happen when you train them on skill acquisition.
Speaking on behalf of other wives of the local government Chairmen, the Wife of Kachia local government Chairman, Mrs Juliana Daniel Maigari, thanked the Network, especially Prof. Hauwa’u,’, for dedicating her time and r sources to giving hope to survivors of general gender-based violence.
“I thank Prof and I pray God will help us to put into practice what we have learned here.
“With the support of our husbands and our people, we will begin to look inward to see what we need to do to reduce this issue of GBV”, she added.
Meanwhile, the Chairmen of Kaduna South and Sanga Local Government Areas, Rayyan Hussein and Usman Anto, respectfully paid a surprise visit to the venue of the one-day training held at CERSDOV Shelter, Hayin Dogo, Rigachikun, Kaduna, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
They promised to serve as eyes and ears of their wives in their respective local government areas.
