By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Sadiya Abas, Sokoto State PLAN International Project Coordinator on "Strengthening Civil Society to Enhance Education For All In Northern Nigeria'", has appealed to states yet to domesticate child protection laws to consider doing so.
Sadiya who argued that those laws such as Violence Against Persons Prohibition and Child Rights Laws when domesticated, will enable survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) get justice. She added that consistent advocacy to stakeholders and media engagement are vital tools to effecting the needed change.
Speaking in Sokoto during a one day Hybrid Legislative and Policy Dialogue on GBD in Education Sector as part of the 16 days of activism, Sadiya said, "you will recall in the presentation made by one of our colleagues today where he said the Child Rights Act, were passed or domesticated by few states (just about 19).
"'And these are challenges in most states where people whose rights are been abused not able to get justice because the policies are not being implemented. The laws are yet to be passed, so, survivors are unable to get the justice that they deserve"'.
While noting that PLAN International creates awareness on people's rights, health and emphasis on education for all, Sadiya insisted that, education gives people the privilege of making informed decisions.
She further noted that the PLAN International Aspire Project is working on health and other related issues, the EU-INTPA Project implemented in Sokoto and Adamawa states is geared towards advocating for the implementation of a Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan that will guarantee safe, quality, accessible and free learning environment as well as Tsangaya Reformation for children in these States.
Sadiya further called on parents to also paly their roles by ensuring sound mentorship as according to her, doing so will greatly reduce incidences of GBV, HP amongst others.
Making her contribution at the event, Sokoto State Coordinator of Girls Get Equal (SGGE) group, Bashirat Almustapha appealed to the state government to consider urgent establishment of safe spaces for girls in all the schools across the state.
Listing some of their action points, the Girls Get Equal group said, they intend to take advocacy visit to the state government and stakeholders on the need for Gender Responsive Sector Education Budgeting, safe spaces for girls in schools, sex education and GBV as well as visiting schools to educate them on the dangers of GBV and other related matters.
Photo CaptionAPTION:
Participants at the one day PLAN Int'l Hybrid Legislative and Policy Dialogue on GBD in Education Sector as part of the 16 days of activism held in Sokoto.
PHOTO BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
