culture of silence major catalyst to gender and sexual based violence – Expert

By Dije Haidar

Poor attitude and behavior of people towards reporting gender and sexual based violence, has been identified as one of the major catalysts to promoting the menace in the society.

A reknown journalist, and publisher of solacebase newspaper ,Alhaji Abdullatif Abubakar Jos, made the indication during a one day town hall meeting themed: unite! Activism to end violence aginst women and children,held in Kano.

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

According to him,the stigma attached to gender and sexual based violence, leads to culture of silence, which gives perpetrators the opportunity to continue walking freely in the society.

Abdullatif explained that,reporting human rights violations by victims or families, would go a long way in reducing the increasing rate of societal vices ,such as sexual and gender based violence,child labor,molestation among others.

He noted that, the town hall meeting is part of activities, to Commemorate 16 days activism set aside by the united nations, to end violence aginst women and children.

The reknown journalist, highlighted that,the society has a vital role to play, by contributing their quota in the fight aginst GBV and SBV.Saying that most of the violations occur within the family unit.

“GBV and SBV occur within the family unit,uncles,father’s engage in different forms of violations,without reporting claiming that they don’t want to damage the family’s name”

In his remarks, state coordinator national human rights commission Kano office,Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi decried over rising cases of domestic violence,parental neglect,denial family responsibilities,among others.

He pointed out that, domestic violence can lead to mental health and other serious health issues, such as the case of the young lady who lost her life, after being solitary confined by her husband in Yobe state.

“I am appealing to the authorities and relevant stakeholders to collaborate and fight the menace”

Also speaking, a staff of WARAKA sexual referrel center, (SAC) Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital kano, Abba Bello Ahmed identified legal framework,effective and efficient service provision, as some of the easiest ways of managing the deadly act.

He stressed that, there are a lot of consequences and implications regarding culture of silence, which leads to societal backwardness by creating a gap in family and societal circle..Saying that, without trust, there is no community that would work as a team to move the state forward.

“Agencies like hospitals,SAC, legal frameworks,such as laws on child protection, violations of human rights would motivate victims or survivors”

Radio Nigeria reports that,the one day town hall meeting, was organized by Fridabs solacebase communications, in collaboration with Wole Soyinka center for investigative journalism, and support from MacArthur foundation.