COMMUNIQUÉ: JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING IN COMMEMORATION OF 2023 16-DAY ACTIVISM

COMMUNIQUÉ: JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING IN COMMEMORATION OF 2023 16-DAY ACTIVISM

The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II), supported by the International IDEA, coordinated a profound and collaborative town hall meeting between the Coalition for Policy Advocacy in Kano State (CPAK) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). This gathering was a pivotal element of the 2023 16-Day Activism campaign aiming to eliminate Violence against Women & Girls (VAWG).

Purpose and Key Objectives:

The town hall meeting, held on November 28, 2023, at Bristol Palace Hotel, Marhaba Area, Kano, was organized to prompt a collaborative effort between NAPTIP and CPAK in exploring the root causes of violence against women, devising effective solutions, and advocating for the utilization of the Sexual Offender Database (SOD) and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Participants and Invited Guests:

Distinguished guests from various sectors including religious and traditional leaders, community influencers, governmental agencies, civil society organizations, and media representatives gathered to contribute to the discourse and strategize ways to combat GBV effectively.

Summary of Deliberations and Insights:

During the meeting, several pertinent issues surfaced, reflecting the urgency and complexities of addressing GBV comprehensively:

Stakeholders identified critical aspects such as parental negligence, poverty, societal silence, and inadequate traditional leadership involvement as contributors to GBV.

Emphasis was placed on the necessity of education, legal reforms, community engagement, and rehabilitation services as integral strategies to prevent, protect, prosecute, and rehabilitate survivors of GBV.

Various studies and statistics on GBV prevalence in Kano State were cited, highlighting the urgent need for continued efforts to address this grave issue.

The prevalence of immoralities and negative behaviors necessitates a shift in attitudes, demanding a collective effort from all stakeholders.

Our educational system requires transformation to address GBV issues effectively, starting with rectifying these negative behaviors at the family level.

Misconceptions about Gender-Based Violence (GBV) persist in our society, often misidentifying situations that are not truly GBV as such.

Outcome and Future Actions:

Following comprehensive discussions, there emerged a consensus for determined efforts across all sectors. The vital actions identified encompass:

Reforming traditional structures and constitutional frameworks to integrate the authority of traditional leaders, empowering them to establish a robust support system aimed at addressing the core issues of GBV.

Enhancing family support systems and community engagement strategies.

Implementing substantive educational initiatives, legal reforms, and comprehensive rehabilitation services.

Raising awareness and fostering collective responsibility to challenge societal norms perpetuating GBV.

Conducting substantial advocacy with top government officials and Five (5) Kano Emirates to address GBV concerns.

Initiating expansive awareness campaigns on GBV throughout the five Kano Emirates.

Advocating for the establishment of specialized courts dedicated to prosecuting GBV offenders.

Advocating for the allocation of a dedicated budget for GBV concerns, establishing SARC centers in the Five Kano Emirates, and facilitating coordinated efforts to address GBV-related issues.

Conclusion:

The joint town hall meeting serves as a stepping stone towards a more determined and strategic approach to combatting GBV. The insights gathered from this discourse will guide future initiatives aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive society for women and girls.

This communique signifies a commitment to sustained collaboration, advocacy, and action towards eradicating violence against women and girls in our community and beyond.

Issued on the 28th of November, 2023, in Kano State.

Signed by: