Kaduna State reports 500 GBV cases to National dashboard, prosecutes five

The Kaduna State Government has taken significant steps in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by reporting around 500 cases to the National GBV Dashboard, with five of these cases already being prosecuted by the end of September.

Mr. Jamilu Ladan, the UNFPA State Sub-Implementing Partner Coordinator at the state’s Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), shared this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday.

Ladan, who serves as the Programme Officer at PBC, highlighted that this accomplishment was made possible through collaboration with development partners and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in the field of GBV. He noted that the state had initially lagged behind in reporting GBV cases to the national dashboard but had made significant progress.

He said, “As of the end of September, Kaduna State is among the leading states in terms of reporting of GBV cases, amounting to about 500, of which five cases were prosecuted.”

Dr. Elvis Evborein, the Reproductive Health Analyst, UNFPA Kaduna, emphasized that addressing GBV is a multisectoral effort involving CSOs, government agencies, and various partners. UNFPA has been working closely with the state government to establish a GBV Technical Working Group, bringing together relevant stakeholders to ensure coordination and synergy in GBV response.

The goal is to work together effectively to achieve positive outcomes, address harmful social norms, and provide support to GBV survivors. UNFPA has also been supporting the technical working group with quarterly meetings to review progress, document results, and find solutions to challenges in the GBV sector.

The partnership focuses on prevention, raising awareness about GBV, and ensuring that survivors have access to essential services. It seeks to correct misconceptions and challenge negative social norms surrounding violence against women, girls, children, and even men. Efforts are being made to provide support and referrals for GBV survivors through available services and referral pathway mechanisms in communities across the state.

Credit: NAN