Groups in Bauchi advocate attitudinal changes against rape

The Society for Family Health (SFH) has flagged off strategic awareness campaign for attitudinal change of individuals and community against all forms of gender -based violence against women and children in Bauchi State. 

The group unveiled the initiative during a street walk by the SFH members in Bauchi metropolis to mark 16 days of Gender Activism, to stimulate community response to mitigate the rising trend of rape and other domestic abuses against the girl child and women in the state.

Speaking to newsmen during the event, the Chief of Party of Society for Family Health (SFH), Abdulsalman Salihu, said  the new campaign strategy “Stop GBV, Reach Out, Speak Out”, was aimed at creating more awareness to parents, friends of victims of gender violence to speak out for those who could not be heard in the society as well as to seek justice to the vulnerable and less privileged groups. 

He encouraged family and friends to speak out against gender-based violence on women to save the victims. 

Similarly, Oxfam International also held similar street walk yesterday to sensitise residents of Bauchi metropolis against gender based violence against women and children in the state. 

Project Line Officer of Oxfam in Bauchi, Samuel Lashom, said that rape is the most prevalent form of gender-based violence in Bauchi State, adding that the significance of the road walk is to trigger a change of attitude against the ungodly trend. 

Lashom tasked religious and community leaders to work together to ensure that rape, genital mutilation and other harmful practices as well as domestic violence are tackled.