Group trains Nasarawa women on eliminating sexual violence at mining sites

A group, Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN), has organised a three-day training on eliminating gender-based violence. Speaking at the forum, the National President of WIMIN, Janet Adeyemi, stated that the training aimed to address the challenge of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) at mining sites, which has become a significant issue requiring urgent attention.

Adeyemi explained that the training, held in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, focused on five local councils: Nasarawa Eggon, Karu, Obi, Kokona, and Akwanga, where the problem is most prevalent.

She said: “As part of efforts to tackle the rising menace of SGBV, we adopt policy advocacy, livelihood support, education, and empowerment to equip vulnerable women in mining communities to overcome the challenges of SGBV.”

In her remarks, the Secretary of WIMIN, Mrs Onyinye Michelle, highlighted that SGBV is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, particularly in the mining sector, where women and girls are especially vulnerable.

“The project, titled ‘Catalysing Change: Eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Mining Host Communities, Nasarawa State,’ seeks to address this serious problem and improve the well-being of survivors in mining host communities. In these areas, the incidence of sexual violence is particularly alarming, with 23.1 per cent of women having suffered sexual violence,” she said.

Mrs Ene Rhoda, a representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), noted that a major challenge in the fight against SGBV is the reluctance of victims to pursue prosecution when cases are reported.

She disclosed that incidents of SGBV are on the rise and urged all victims to report cases to any NSCDC office so that the matter can be addressed and perpetrators punished to serve as a deterrent to others.