by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS: The Likeminds Community Development Initiative, in partnership with ‘The Jemilius Aid and Relief Initiative’ have commemorated the ‘16 days of Activism’ for the year 2024, with the theme: ‘Unite! End Violence against Women and Girls.’
The event involved some communities in Plateau State to raise awareness, empower survivors, and foster collective action towards ending gender violence in the communities.
The campaign was held in the market place of Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday.
This was to strengthen advocacy to key community leaders, relevant stakeholders, and residents in addressing the pertinent issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)and propose actionable solutions.
Executive Directors of Likeminds Community Development Initiave and The Jemilius Aid and Relief Initiative were represented by the Program and Campaign Coordinator, Rejoice Kucheli Ndahi.
Speaking to newsmen during the campaign, the Coordinator said, “Gender-Based Violence is not just a personal issue; it is a societal crisis that undermines the fabric of our communities.
“Every statistic represents a human life, a mother, a daughter, a sister, whose rights have been violated, and this community campaign is to stir-up the power within the community to stopping Gender-Based Violence.
“More than awareness creation, the initiative was to ensure a pathway towards a safer world for women and girls, men and boys.
“We must stand together to break the silence, challenge harmful norms, and create safe spaces for everyone, especially women and girls. Ending GBV requires not just laws but collective action and accountability at every level,” she stated.
They LCDI and JAREI calls for more sustained education and awareness campaigns to empower communities in combating gender-based violence and the importance of promoting gender equality.
They call on the government to establish workable survivor support systems, including safe spaces, counseling services, and legal aid to survivors and crucial for victims’ recovery and empowerment.
According to her, “The fight against GBV requires active collaboration among the government, stakeholders, and the community.
“Also, government must prioritize enforcing laws against GBV, implementation and awareness of policies that fight against gender-based violence, allocating resources for survivor support, and training law enforcements to handle cases with sensitivity. Stakeholders, including NGOs and traditional leaders, play a critical role in advocacy, capacity-building, and mobilizing resources for gender-based violence cases.
“The International Community and Civil Societies, as well as rural communities must hold government accountable towards the implementation of laws, policies and frameworks on Gender-Based Violence,” she stated.
The coordinator also encouraged community members to form local action groups to monitor, report, and advocate against GBV, ensuring collective accountability and cultural transformation.
“Most importantly, communities must take ownership by challenging harmful norms, supporting survivors, and uniting to create a culture of respect, equality, and safety.
“We look around and we saw that this place, due to the fact that they are market women comprising of more of women and girls, we saw that it is okay, and this could be a catchment area that we actually interact with this market women,” she noted.
She observed that, “They may be facing a lot of Gender-Based Violence, but they are not able to speak up, and that is why we chose here, at least to see space to talk to them.” She noted that, 20 statistic cases have been reported to their organization so far.
“The Likeminds Community Development Initiative is an organization established to alleviate socio-economic problems and enhance the dignity/livelihood of individuals and communities by delivering compassionate, inclusive, and tailored sustainable interventions, while fostering resilience and empowerment through partnerships and advocacy.
“LCDI seeks a world where empowered/resilient people and communities thrive with access to sustainable essential services and support.
On the other hand, “The Jemilius Aids and Relief Initiative is an organization committed to creating a world where vulnerable women, youth, and children thrive, empowered by sustainable livelihoods, access to nutritious foods, equitable opportunities, improved healthcare, and quality education through effective climate action, inclusion, and advocacy.
“JAREI works towards a world where vulnerable women, youth, and children thrive, empowered by sustainable livelihoods, access to nutritious foods, equitable opportunities, improved healthcare, and quality education through effective climate action, inclusion, and advocacy.
“The statistics of Gender-based Violence in Nigeria will double in the near future, if we neglect the actions of today. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a critical challenge in Nigeria, with devastating impacts on individuals, families, and communities.
“According to a report by the UN Women, over 30 percent of Nigerian women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, while 20 percent report enduring sexual violence.
“In rural areas, these numbers are often under-reported due to cultural stigmas and lack of access to support services. GBV not only violates human rights but also hampers community development and well-being,” she stated.