By Khalid Idris Doya
The Thamani for Women and Youth Development Initiative (THAMANI) has expressed concern that many survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Bauchi State remain silent due to fear, stigma and social pressure, while those who seek help often face delays in accessing healthcare, justice and psychosocial support because of weak referral systems and limited institutional capacity.
Speaking with journalists at the end of a policy roundtable titled "From Community Voices to Legislative Action: Strengthening Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response in Bauchi State," held on Thursday at Yimir Hotel, Bauchi, THAMANI's program coordinator, Nicholas Oshojah Afeso, said the challenges continue to undermine community well-being and place additional pressure on the state's health and social protection systems.
The dialogue brought together representatives of government, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders committed to promoting the rights and well-being of women and girls.
Afeso said the meeting formed part of activities under the #HerVoice Project, supported by the Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF-Africa), aimed at strengthening efforts to address Gender-Based Violence across Bauchi State.
According to him, the policy dialogue was informed by months of consultations with women leaders, community members, service providers and other stakeholders in Dass local government area, resulting in a policy brief containing evidence-based recommendations for improving GBV prevention and response.
"One message emerged clearly from both our community consultations and today's discussions: Gender-Based Violence is not a private family matter. It is a public health concern, a development challenge, and a barrier to justice and inclusive growth," he said.
He noted that the policy brief revealed that women and girls continue to experience domestic violence, sexual violence, forced marriage and economic abuse.
Afeso added that the impact of GBV extends beyond individual survivors, contributing to poor maternal and reproductive health outcomes, increased vulnerability to infectious diseases, disrupted children's education, weakened livelihoods and slower community development.
"When women and girls cannot live free from violence, communities cannot achieve their full social and economic potential," he said.
The organisation called on the Bauchi state government to strengthen survivor-centred response systems by ensuring timely access to healthcare, legal services, psychosocial support and protection through coordinated referral mechanisms.
Afeso also stressed the need to strengthen primary healthcare and health extension services by training frontline health workers to identify, support and appropriately refer GBV survivors, particularly in underserved communities.
He further urged authorities to empower community structures, including women leaders, traditional and religious institutions, Fathers' Forums and civil society organisations, to help prevent violence, challenge harmful social norms, support survivors and encourage prompt reporting.
The program coordinator said participants also emphasised the need for stronger legislative and institutional action through effective implementation of existing laws, improved coordination among government agencies, better data management and sustainable funding for GBV response programmes.
He called on the Bauchi State House of Assembly to consider the recommendations contained in the policy brief and work with the executive arm to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for preventing and responding to GBV.
Afeso also urged relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve collaboration and service delivery to ensure that no survivor is denied access to protection or justice because of location or personal circumstances.
He appealed to the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), governing councils of tertiary institutions and school administrators to institutionalise GBV prevention through safeguarding policies, awareness programmes, effective reporting mechanisms and the integration of GBV prevention, consent and respectful relationships into school curricula.
"Every educational institution should be a safe space where learners can thrive free from violence, intimidation, exploitation and discrimination," he said.
Afeso also called on traditional and religious leaders to continue promoting values that uphold the dignity of women and girls, discourage harmful practices and support peaceful conflict resolution without compromising justice for survivors.
He encouraged civil society organisations and development partners to sustain collaboration in advocacy, service delivery, community education and accountability, noting that ending GBV requires collective responsibility.
He further urged the media to report Gender-Based Violence accurately, responsibly and ethically while amplifying survivors' voices, raising awareness of available support services and helping communities reject silence and stigma.
Addressing survivors, Afeso said, "Your voice matters. You deserve safety, dignity, justice and access to quality support services. No one should suffer violence in silence."
He said that the policy roundtable demonstrated that meaningful change begins when community voices are translated into concrete policy actions.
"The responsibility now rests with the government, legislators, communities, civil society, development partners, the media and citizens to ensure that the recommendations from this dialogue lead to lasting reforms. Together, we can build a Bauchi State where women and girls live free from violence, survivors receive the support they deserve, and communities thrive in peace, dignity and equality," he said.
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