KANO (North-West, Nigeria) — The development Research and Project Center, dRPC, has emphasized the need for the Kano state government to domesticate the Women Economic Empowerment, WEE policy to reduce rampant incidences of Gender Based Violence, GBV in the state.
The Director of Partnership Development and Communication of dRPC, Hassan Karofi made this known during the socialization meeting organized by the dRPC for stakeholders on the domestication of WEE Policy in Kano State.
Karofi said economically empowered women are less vulnerable to gender based violence.
According to him, “The intersectionality between women’s economic empowerment and gender-based violence (GBV) is a complex and multifaceted issue.
“Women who lack economic independence are often more vulnerable to GBV. Economic dependence on a partner can trap women in abusive relationships, as they may feel they have no financial means to leave
“While economic empowerment can provide women with the resources to escape abusive situations, it can also increase the risk of violence in the short term. Some men may feel threatened by their partner’s economic independence and respond with violence.
“Effective policies and advocacy efforts must consider the intersectionality of gender, economic status, and other identities to comprehensively address economic empowerment and GBV. This includes creating safe work environments, providing access to financial resources, and ensuring legal protections.
“We talk about the financial resources which the Kano state government is already doing by giving over 5,000 women N50,000 monthly but it needs to do more or improve on the N50,000 due to the inflation rate in the country.
“Studies have shown that cash transfer programs can reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). For example, a study in Bangladesh found that combining cash transfers with behaviour change communication led to a 26% reduction in physical Intimate violence (IPV).
“Employment and Education: Women with higher levels of education and stable employment are often better positioned to leave abusive relationships. Employment provides financial independence, social networks, and access to information and resources.
“Governments and civil society can play crucial roles in promoting women’s economic empowerment and preventing gender-based violence (GBV) through comprehensive policies and initiatives. Implement and enforce laws that protect women from GBV and discrimination in the workplace. This includes laws against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination. VAPP Law and WEE policy implementations readily come to mind in Kano State,” Karofi said.
In her remarks, the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Children and the Disable, Amina Sani promised to intimate the Governor, Abba Yusuf on the need for the domestication of the policy to ensure it sees the light of the day and become a reality in the state.
She commended dRPC and other relevant stakeholders for the effort put in place to come up with the document which she said stands to benefit the women by addressing their challenges and plights.
In a related development, a member of the Muslim Opinion Leaders to prevent GBV, MOLs4GBV and Head of Da’awa, Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Bar. Aisha Tijjani called on the state government to ensure speedy passage of the Harmonized Kano State Penal Code to find a lasting solution to the rampant incidences of Gender Based Violence, GBV.
Bar. Tijjani said that the penal code if passed penciled down stringent punishment against perpetrators of the GBV in order to serve as deterrent to others with similar intention.
Responding, the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Children and the Disable, Amina Sani expressed delight with the religious leaders for joining the fight against the rampant GBV in the state.
She however, expressed her readiness to accord them necessary supports in order to ensure the set objective is achieved.
The Muslim Opinion Leaders to prevent GBV, MOLs4GBV is a platform of religious leaders working with the dRPC and that which has it pilot phase in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Katsina to lend their voice to fight against GBV.
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