Grassroots women leaders across Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State have intensified efforts to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), pledging to champion community-driven actions aimed at protecting women and girls from abuse, discrimination, and harmful traditional practices.
The commitment emerged following a series of community engagements and a capacity-building workshop organized by Thamani for Women and Youth Development Initiative under its Her Voice Project, with support from the Urgent Action Fund (UAF) Urgent Response Fund.
The initiative mobilised women leaders from 26 communities in the local government area and introduced the Truth and Justice Committee (TJC), a community-based mechanism designed to address issues of injustice, violence, and accountability.
A total of 36 women community leaders were trained on strategies for preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence, equipping them with practical knowledge to identify abuse, support survivors, and strengthen referral and reporting mechanisms within their communities.
The training focused on understanding different forms of GBV, survivor-centered approaches, community-led prevention strategies, and available reporting pathways. Participants were also sensitized on the links between gender inequality, violence, and increased vulnerability to diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
During the workshop, participants shared experiences from their communities, revealing widespread cases of domestic violence, child marriage, denial of educational opportunities for girls, economic abuse, and harmful cultural practices.
Several women noted that many survivors remain silent due to fear of stigma, lack of support systems, and limited awareness of available services. Describing the testimonies as both heartbreaking and enlightening, participants stressed the need for stronger community structures and collective action to address the root causes of violence against women and girls.
Speaking during the event, the women leaders emphasised their responsibility in challenging harmful social norms, supporting survivors, and mobilising community members to promote gender equality and justice.
At the end of the engagements, the participants adopted a communiqué acknowledging that Gender-Based Violence remains a major challenge affecting the safety, dignity, health, and economic wellbeing of women and girls.
They observed that many incidents of violence go unreported because of fear, stigma, and inadequate access to support services, while noting that women leaders are strategically positioned to drive community efforts aimed at preventing violence and promoting accountability.
The women pledged to raise awareness on GBV, encourage safe reporting of cases, support survivors, strengthen the activities of Truth and Justice Committees, and promote peaceful conflict resolution and gender equality within homes and communities.
They also resolved to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, men, and boys to challenge practices that perpetuate violence and discrimination.
Among their recommendations, participants called on community leaders to publicly condemn all forms of Gender-Based Violence and support survivors seeking justice.
They also urged government agencies and development partners to invest more in awareness campaigns, survivor support services, and the strengthening of community-based accountability structures.
The women further advocated increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making processes, expansion of economic empowerment initiatives such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and improved healthcare, legal, psychosocial, and protection services for survivors of violence.
Thamani for Women and Youth Development Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to working with communities, government institutions, women leaders, and development partners to advance gender justice, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and create safer communities where women and girls can live free from violence.
The Her Voice Project seeks to strengthen women's leadership and promote community-led responses to Gender-Based Violence while advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls in Dass Local Government Area.
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