GBV: Group reiterates commitment to creating safe spaces for women, girls

The Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) had reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safer environment for women and girls.

The group also emphasised its success in reducing such incidents within these local communities.

WRAPA’s Programme Manager, Muhimmed Habiba, disclosed this in Abuja, during a community engagement session, with the theme: “Unite to End Violence Against Women & Girls Through Preventive Pathways and Enhancing Positive Masculinity.”

Habiba noted that the engagement, conducted in the Abaji and Karonmajigi communities, was part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against violence toward women.

She said: “We have recorded success in Karonmajigi community. In the past six months, they have not experienced any form of physical violence against women and girls in their community.

“That is why we continue to promote positive masculinity, bringing men and boys together to speak on violence against women and girls and bring out strategies to address these issues.”

In his remarks, village head Karabi of karonmajigi, Dauda Dogo, commended the efforts to eliminate violence at the grassroots level.

He said: “As a community, we have engaged traditional rulers, faith leaders, youth leaders, and even security personnel to ensure violence has been eradicated here.”

Also, a leader in the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Thomas Bako, outlined the church’s strict policies against gender-based violence.

He said: “In my church, when you are a woman bitter, we don’t allow you to take Holy Communion. When you violate woman or you rape we don’t give you Holy Communion, because it’s not part of our doctrine.

“So, we hold it so strictly, and for now, I can assure you that women’s violation, or gender based violation, is no longer in existence among my church members.”