Muslim women preachers from Kano and Kaduna States convened in Kaduna to strategise on mobilizing their communities against the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Northern Nigeria.
The meeting, organized as part of the 2024 16 Days of Activism, aimed to integrate Islamic teachings into the fight against GBV which held at Bafra hotel Saturday in Kaduna
According to the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services, over 1,259 cases of GBV were reported in the state by November 2024, representing a 30% increase from 2023.
In Kano State, the Ministry of Women Affairs recorded 244 cases in 2023. These alarming statistics underscored the urgency of the initiative.
The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), in collaboration with the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith at Bayero University, Kano, and supported by the Ford Foundation, organized the event.
Declaring the meeting open, Dr. Taufiq Abubakar, Director of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith, highlighted the importance of engaging Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) to address GBV.
He described the MOLs for GBV Prevention Project as an initiative designed to leverage the influence of religious leaders in shaping societal attitudes and behaviors.
“This project operates on the understanding that religious leaders hold significant sway in shaping their communities’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
Through this initiative, MOLs are engaged to advocate for GBV prevention, using Islamic teachings to challenge harmful cultural norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls,” Dr. Abubakar stated.
The project coordinator, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi , explained that the meeting builds on earlier efforts, including a Peer-to-Peer Study Tour to Egypt, where participants interacted with esteemed Islamic institutions such as the Grand Al-Azhar and the Grand Mufti.
The insights gained from the tour were pivotal in shaping the initiative’s focus.
“Our goal is to equip Da’awah leaders with practical tools and insights derived from Islamic teachings to safeguard women and girls.
He said “By integrating Islamic perspectives into GBV prevention strategies, we aim to challenge harmful cultural practices and enhance advocacy skills,” Malam Ahmad emphasized.
The event featured expert presentations on fostering dialogue about GBV within households, exploring Qur’anic verses and hadeeth relevant to the protection of women, and practical steps to incorporate Islamic teachings into Da’awah preaching.
Participants expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen collaboration between MOLs and women Da’awah leaders to combat GBV at the community level.
As the 16 Days of Activism campaign continues, the efforts of these faith-based leaders underscore the importance of leveraging religious and cultural frameworks to address the scourge of gender-based violence in Northern Nigeria.(www.krestnews.com)