The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Kano state Chapter has expressed its determination to partner with relevant stakeholders to intensify campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and protecting the rights of women and girls in the society.
The State chairperson of the association, Comrade Hafsat Ismail, disclosed this at a One-day media training on human rights and social inclusion held in Kano.
According to Ismail, collaborating with relevant stakeholders in fighting against GBV and other social vices has become necessary considering the reported cases of rape nationwide.
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She noted that 15 out of a thousand reported cases of rape and other vices recorded by WARAKA sexual referral centre, Kano annually are prosecuted in a court of law.
“Waraka has received one thousand cases in one year, out of which 500 are reported to the Ministry of Justice and only about 15 are prosecuted by the court,”she said.
She said the association would come up with action plans aimed at working as a team with all relevant stakeholders in curtailing the menace of gender-based violence and ensure full protection of women’s rights.
The NAWOJ chairperson called on parents and guardians to be vigilant and report any case of human rights violation, child labour and molestation to relevant authorities for immediate action.
In his address, the Chief Executive Officer of Stallion Times, Alhaji Isiyaku Ahmed, stressed the need for media organisations to intensify campaign for human rights and social inclusion through their news coverage.
“I believe media have vital roles to play while reporting human rights and inclusion issues, and not only that they follow up cases of violation of human rights to a logical conclusion,”Isyaku said.
He said the training was aimed at promoting human rights and social inclusion as well as appreciating the conditions for gender equity in society and development.
He said the project, which was based on dialogue between relevant stakeholders on GBV and other human rights issues, is supported by the MacArthur Foundation to educate journalists.
Presenting a paper titled: “Understanding Human Rights and Social Inclusion in the Media” a lecturer at the Department of Political Science at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Aisha Isma’il, identified rights of women as involving everybody considering their importance in the society.
Isma’il identified rights to life and property, rights to education, empowerment, freedom from abuse, exploitation, harassment and violence, among others as some of the fundamental human rights.
He added that media contributes to the people awareness on gender equity and social inclusion.