Aid Connect for Development, AIDCODE, a Bauchi based non-governmental organisation, has advised fathers in Miri district of Bauchi LGA to take full socio-economic responsibility of their families to assist in ending community spread of rape and gender based violence.
The NGO said men, especially fathers and guardians need to bear full scale responsibilities of their families to prevent young boys and girls from hawking, which it says usually expose them rto ape and gender related violence.
Mrs. Habiba Ajufoh, Executive Director, Aid Connect for Development, made the plea on Tuesday during an awareness campaign on rape and gender based violence in Miri, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis.
Mrs. Habiba Ajufoh said ” failure of men to bear the socio-economic burden of their families force mothers to send their sons and daughters to hawk along the streets, parks, markets and public gathering forums to help mobilise funds for survival of their families.
“We must reverse this normalised rampant ugly trend haunting God giving values and accepted moral codes we inherited from our forebears.”
The Executive Director explained that the awareness campaign is part of Women Voice in Leadership (WVL) with support from Action Aid.
She thanked the corporation exhibited by Ward Head of Miri, Malam, Isma’il Inuwa Miri for mobilising girls, boys, women and men who troop en mass to attend the awareness campaign.
On her part, Mrs. Abigail Hardo, Programme Manager, Aid Connect for Development applauded the zeal Miri men, boys, girls and women exhibited towards the awareness town hall session AIDCODE organised for them on rape and gender based violence.
Mallam Isma’il Inuwa Miri, Ward Head of Miri described rape as terrorism because it is human exploitation and termed rapists as ‘terrorists.’
He appreciated the resolved and determination of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir to end cases of rape and gender based violence by ascending to the VAPP law in the state.
Aishatu Abubakar, Women Leader Miri said the awareness campaign nis important because it has socialised and energised them to speak out issues bodering on rape and gender based violence.
“Women used to hide incidences of rape and gender based violence occuring in our homes and communities thinking that it is shamrul to exposed both thxe victims and culprists,” she said.
Imam Abubakar Muhammad, Chief Imam Miri Jumma’at Mosque said the awareness campaign will help strengthen social and religious lives of individuals particularly with regard to issues of rape sexual violence.
“Rape and gender violence are one of the most greatest sins Allah forbids in all scriptures revealed to mankind,” he said.
Maryam Muhammad, participant, who spoke to WikkiTimes said she will use the knowledge she gained from the awareness session to socialise young girls of her peers in the community on rape, sexual and gender based violence being a teacher
