Establish Special Courts for Trying Perpetrators of GBV – CITAD advise Government

By Abdullahi Kano

The center for information technology and development CITAD has called on kano state government to establish special courts for trying perpetrators of gender base violence in the state.

CITAD Gender project officer Zainab Aminu disclosed this during a media briefing on the need to address Gender base violence in kano.

She said in comparison with the data obtained in previous months, GBV cases are still on the increase. 140 cases were reported via  GBV App for the month which includes Rape, Sexual Harassment, Online Harassment, Sexual Abuse and Wife Battering. 

“Although it is an encouraging information that cases are being reported now, we would like to draw the attention of the press to the high rate of GBV still being perpetrated within the state. This call for concerted action. The GBV Offenders database which the government adopted recently will go a long way in curbing the menace as offenders will rather desist from the act than to be publicly shamed. “

She said As part of CITAD’s social responsibility, it would continue to advocate and improve awareness against GBV.

“but we still urge the citizens to take responsibility in their environment to see that these issues are curbed. “

“We would like to commend the efforts of all stakeholders on their relentless effort to create awareness against GBV, while also commending the state government on there efforts so far. “

Zainab Aminu appealed to parents, relatives and others to always report cases to the various agencies handling GBV cases, stressing that Keeping silent will not protect the victims who suffer. It encourages the perpetrators to take this silence as a stamp of acceptability. 

“We will like to recommend that all agencies saddled with ensuring that the GBV database is kept up-to-date ensure they utilize the tool as they receive such cases to enable it achieve its aim. “

CITAD appealed to government to establish a gender abuse monitoring unit in the Ministry of Education, its parastatals responsible for education at different levels and in the schools, geared towards addressing the menace.

She also recommend the public to be aware that violence online is not acceptable and should be reported.