By Ahmed Mohammed Kaigama
Bauchi – A Bauchi-based non-governmental organisation, Attah Sisters Helping Hands Foundation (ASHHF), has called on the state government and partners, to intensify monitoring of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the state.
Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs Comfort Attah, made the call on Sunday in Bauchi during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She said as the coronavirus disease continued to spread and the authorities responded with social and health control measures, reports of sexual and gender-based violence had not abated in the state.
“Victims of domestic violence, most often women, face a double threat: a deadly virus outside and an abuser at home,” she said.
She said there was need for government to improve protection and services for survivors, by strengthening enabling laws.
“There is also the need to address the root causes of violence by challenging social norms and behaviours, as well as tackling the wider gender inequalities,” Attah said.
She said that with families confined to their homes in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, there werenfears of surge in domestic violence.
“The lockdown is creating fertile ground for gender inequalities to be exposed at their worst.
“We have handled many cases of sexual violence against women in Bauchi.
“Nearly half of the cases treated are women who have experienced intimate-partner domestic violence,” she said.
Attah explained that some violence within the pandemic period included rape cases involving pregnant women, keeping a girl under lock and influence of drug for six days, as well as brutality on women.
“Our NGO, with the support of ActionAid and Government of Canada, are following up the case at the police station to make sure the right thing is done.
“We have provided medical care and social support for traumatized victims,” she said.
She added that they would provide legal service through a pro bono lawyer, and that they were waiting for courts to resume normal sitting.
(NAN)
