By Muhammad Sani Mu’azu, Bauchi
Friday 10th December marks the end of 16 days of activism against gender based violence which started on November 25 with the theme for this year’s campaign: Orange the world End Violence against women and girls now.
To this end, Plan International Nigeria in collaboration with Nigerian Association of Women Journalists organised a round table discussion where journalist gathered and discussed on issues related to gender based violence.
Muhammad Sani Muazu was at the venue of the round table discussion which held at NUJ secretariat Bauchi.
The Bauchi state secretary of the International federation of women lauyers Hauwa Ahmad Abubakar who spoke at the round table discussion stressed the importance of keeping evidence of rape cases as the only way to prosecute the culprit and prove the case in court.
She said the new VAAP law make a special provision to protect the rights of the victims which if people are aware of these rights will speak out.
Also speaking a gender expert in Bauchi Helen expert described gender based violence as a global pandemic, hence the need for media to support in this fight.
The gender expert used the medium to commend the Bauchi state government for passing the VAAP law which according to her is a step in the right direction.
On her part, the moderator of Girls out loud of Plan International Zainab Muhammad Sabitu said the organization aimed to ensure that all children, adolescents, and young people, without discrimination, have access to comprehensive sexuality education to gain knowledge and develop the necessary skills to make conscious, healthy, and respectful choices about relationships and sexuality.
Zainab Sabitu added that Plan International is also working to ensure that all survivors of GBV have access to healthcare, including emergency contraception, safe abortion services, and psychosocial support, as well as access to shelter and safe houses if needed, and effective means to seek justice and redress.
During the event, 30 participants from different media houses in Nigeria asked several questions about gender based violence and were educated by the experts.
