KADRAAMP WORKSHOP:  Commissioner Warns Staff Against Gender-Based Violence

The Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture has warned its staff against engaging in any form of gender-related violence, stating that offenders will face strict disciplinary measures.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Murtala Dabo, gave the warning in Kaduna at the opening of a two-day workshop organised by the Kaduna State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project in collaboration with Nigeria Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women, a consulting firm.

Dabo said the ministry maintains zero tolerance for gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and sexual harassment in all its operations and project sites across the state.

He stressed that any staff member found culpable would be sanctioned without delay in accordance with civil service rules and other relevant regulations.

According to him, the workshop was timely and necessary to sensitize stakeholders on acceptable conduct, particularly within rural infrastructure and agricultural development projects where workers interact closely with host communities.

The training, among other objectives, focused on equipping KADRAAMP stakeholders with knowledge and practical strategies to prevent and respond to cases of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment at project locations.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and KADRAAMP Project Monitoring Committee Leader, Alhaji Abubakar Abba, said the programme was designed to keep participants abreast of emerging developments and global best practices within the construction and agricultural sectors.

Our correspondent reports that facilitators from LANW Consulting Firm, during the sessions, highlighted various forms of sexual exploitation and abuse that could occur between construction workers and community members at project sites.

The firm also outlined preventive mechanisms, reporting channels, and accountability measures aimed at safeguarding vulnerable groups and ensuring a safe working environment.

Participants at the workshop included ministry officials, project managers, contractors, and community representatives drawn from different parts of the state.