Isiyaku Ahmed
The Kano Zonal Office, National Human Rights Commission says it has received over 1000 complains of Gender Based Violence between January to November 2020.
The Kano Zonal Coordinator of the Commission, Shehu Abdullahi disclosed this when the commission paid an advocacy visit to Kano State Chief Judge, Justice Nuraddeen Sagir in his office, Friday 27 November, 2020
Abdullahi said: “The advocacy is to collaborate with the Chief Judge on the 16 days of activism embarked by the Commission to end the Gender Based Violence in Kano and Nigeria at large.”
He disclosed that the number of Gender Based Violence has risen to over 1000 despite lockdown period which restricted movement in the state.
He also explained that 80 percent of the cases were issues of neglect of parental responsibility, paternity denial and other harmful acts against women.
Abdullahi called on the Justice Sector to accelerate trial of Gender Based Violence cases with a view to curtailed the menace.
He also urged Justice Sector to ensure the full implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Law in cases of Gender Based Violence.
In his response, the chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Nuraddeen Sagir said: “Gender Based Violence has become a global pandemic despite daily preaching and awareness by religious leaders and civil society organizations.”
Gender Based Violence is on the increase considering the number of cases adjudicating in courts, Chief Justice Sagir stressed.
Also, in their separate remarks, Justice Maryam Sabo and Justice Zuwaira Yusuf held that, to overcome the menace, relevant stakeholders need to put their hands-on deck with a view to curtail the violence.
Justice Maryam also called on ministry of Justice to avoid delay in the provision of legal advice.
Legal advice shall be issued within 40 days as provided by Administration of Criminal Justice Act of Kano State, she added.
Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that impacts on, and impedes progress in many areas of their lives, and the Country’s realisation of its obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and other international human rights treaties. Violence against women and girls aggravates poverty (SDG 1), hunger (SDG 2); health related issues (SDG 3); education (SDG 4); gender equality (SDG 5) and peace & security (SDG 16).
Each year, from 25 November to 10 December, the International Community marks the 16 days of activism on the Elimination of Violence against Women.
