The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP) have set up a mechanism to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence across the higher institutions in the state.

The Ministry, in partnership with UNFPA, said that it is launching the campaign to sensitise the students and lecturers on the culture of speaking up, prevention of GBV, and creation of a centralised safe space for reporting cases.

Speaking at the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General at the Ministry of Justice,
Sabiu Adamu Gumba, represented by the Director, Public Prosecution, Barr. Garba Dabo Maleka, who highlighted the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and Child Protection Act of the state, warned against suppression of the crime and urged the victims to report to the appropriate channel, adding that rape is a state case.

The Solicitor General warned against sex for grades and sex for promotion, commonly reported in higher institutions, saying that the state government does not tolerate any form of GBV.

Deborah Tabara, UNFPA Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, Bauchi State Coordinator, described gender-based violence as a violation of the fundamental human right of every person, saying that “as long as you’re a human being, whether you’re a girl, you’re a boy, you’re a woman, you’re a man. It affects you.

“Gender-based violence has devastating effects, whether it is happening in the public space or in the private space, and its effects transcend from person, individuals, to family, to the community, to institutions. When there are issues of gender-based violence in our institution here, it’s not interesting. Nobody wants to be associated with it. It impedes development. Because if a man or a woman is associated with gender-based violence, there is no advancement,” she said.

The Rector of Polytechnic, Dr. Hashimu Sabo, represented by the Director of Ethics and Compliance, expressed the readiness of the Institution to support the fight against GBV, saying that the School respects the dignity and integrity of every member of the institution community.

“Our students are the future leaders, engineers and administrators of Bauchi State and Nigeria. It is therefore critical that they are properly informed of their rights, responsibilities and the legal consequences of acts of violence, harassment and all forms of gender-based violence.

“Knowledge of the law is the first line of defence. When our students know that the VAPP law, the Child Rights law and other relevant statutes exist to protect them, we empower them to speak up, to seek redress and to live in a safe academic environment.”