Rakiya A.Muhammad
Each year, a staggering number of individuals worldwide, in the millions, face the traumatic reality of sexual and gender-based violence. These statistics are not just numbers but represent lives forever changed.
According to UN Women, an estimated 736 million women, nearly one in three, have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, or both, at least once in their lives.
For too long, silence has reigned, but now, a new wave of consciousness and activism is taking shape in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria.
The shift from silence to activism is a testament to the Sokoto community’s increasing understanding and involvement in addressing sexual and gender-based violence, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against this pervasive issue.
Whispers of suffering are turning into voices of strength in the state as various stakeholders unite to confront the insidious threat.
“An unfamiliar man assaulted me in the bush. Following the incident, I hesitated to disclose it to my family for weeks due to fear of ridicule. After informing my parents, it took several days before I felt comfortable in public spaces because of my anxiety and embarrassment,” reveals Rashidah, a survivor from Sokoto South.
“However, my confidence has significantly improved after engaging with other survivors and sharing experiences. I now confront public situations and socialize with friends without fear, recognizing that I am not alone in my struggles.”
Allies in Action
Recognising the situation’s urgency, stakeholders across Sokoto State have banded together. From non-profits to government agencies, the collective effort is monumental.
The State received backing from the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, which was launched in Nigeria in 2019 to combat violence against women and girls.
An analysis of the Spotlight Initiative Activities in Sokoto from March 2020 to October 2023 reveals The Sokoto State House of Assembly effectively enacted the Sokoto State Child Protection Law on November 11, 2021, which was subsequently endorsed by the Governor of Sokoto State on November 22, 2021. Furthermore, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law was enacted in July 2021.
Sokoto now boasts a comprehensive centre for survivors of gender-based violence known as Nana Khadija. Approximately 1460 cases of violence have been reported and received essential support, including psychosocial, medical, and social welfare services. 9,310 out-of-school learners have successfully graduated from the State’s Accelerated Second Chance Education Program scheme.
Among others, 60 women’s rights organisations and 75 men and boys have had their capabilities strengthened in the struggle against sexual and gender-based violence, focusing on effective communication and reporting mechanisms for incidents involving women and girls.
A survivor shared her stirring journey of acquiring a grinding machine from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, returning to school, and mastering tailoring, all made possible through the Save–the–Child Initiative and various referral programs under the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence /Child Protection Response Team.
The team unites all stakeholders, including government entities, security forces, and civil society organizations, in supporting survivors on their path from trauma to empowerment.
Looking back on her past, she recalls the traumatic experience of being assaulted by a man who then vanished, leaving her to face a daunting ordeal.
After a period of grappling with the psychological repercussions of her abuse, she was married off at the tender age of 14 to a man who already had a wife and children. He subjected her to mistreatment, ultimately leading to a divorce after three years of marriage, which necessitated her return to reside with her parents. It was at this point that she discovered the SGBV response initiative within the state, a turning point that opened up new possibilities for her.
“The historical context of Sokoto concerning sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) had been bad for long,” reflects Rabiu Bello Gandi, Coordinator of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence /Child Protection Response Team.
“As recently as three years ago, Sokoto state did not have the Child Rights Act or a law prohibiting violence against individuals; we were solely relying on the Penal Code, which contains some inadequate provisions-the fines were too small. You could find N30 and N50 fines in the Penal Code.”
“However, thanks to the commitment from government and civil society organizations,” he continues, “we were able to develop a strategy of sensitization, community awareness, and advocacy to bring attention to the fact that gender-based violence is on the rise and demands immediate action.”
Gandi recalls that before these laws, cases were increasing, but people were not reporting them, with only two cases reported in the preceding four years throughout Sokoto State.
“But, through our engagement and efforts to raise awareness among the populace and government, we achieved significant success by training traditional and religious leaders on the prevention and response to gender-based violence, as well as on reporting mechanisms, with the support of the Spotlight Initiative,” he reveals.
“With these efforts, Sokoto State has recorded over 1,500 cases of gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, neglect, rape, and sodomy.”
He asserts that significant activities have taken place regarding the prosecution of perpetrators.
“At present, the state is facing over 70 prosecutions, some of which are still in progress. 54 of them are currently serving their jail terms, and just two weeks ago, we had another conviction for life imprisonment,” he reveals.
“People now know where to report cases, and security agents have received training on investigating and prosecuting.”
Championing Justice: Access to Legal Support
Legal representation can be a decisive factor for survivors of gender-based violence in the quest for justice. Pro bono lawyers, such as Barrister Rashida Muhammad, dedicate their time and expertise to ensuring that victims receive the legal support they need, empowering them to navigate the complexities of the justice system. Their commitment signifies a crucial investment in individual cases and the broader fight against GBV.
“Where we are now is far, far better than where we are coming from. I started this journey in 2018. At that time, we did not have a lot of people coming out to speak against gender-based violence, and there was not enough awareness,” the advocate Rashida Muhammad highlights.
“Many women were unaware of their rights and how to report their concerns. However, I can confidently assert that we are progressing compared to our previous situation. Now, there is progress. Firstly, we have legal tools at our disposal.”
She explains, “ 2019, we did not have anything called VAPP Law ,we did not have anything called Child Protection law and then the Penal Code Law was the old one. “
“Between ,2019 to date, we have our Penal Code Law 2019 ,we have administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019,we have Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, and Child Protection Law, which were all recent tools enacted in Sokoto.”
The legal practitioner, who also serves as the chair of the Nigeria Bar Association in Sokoto, recalls that when she began her journey in 2019, many individuals found it challenging to follow up on cases.
“First, they didn’t report GBV cases; if we have 10 violations of women, only two or three people will report, and even after reporting, they won’t follow it to a logical conclusion,” she highlights.
“Now we have seen parents, even men, coming out to say that this woman was abused and she deserves justice, and they are willing and ready to follow it up to a logical conclusion.”
.Sokoto’s judiciary sector is also making strides in the fight against SGBV, according to her.
“ When we started, we had only one female judge; now, if you look at the Sokoto State judiciary, we have five female judges. This recent appointment has considered about three female judges so that we will have, in total, eight female judges in the Sokoto State judiciary, Sokoto State High Court,” discloses Barrister Rashida.
“When you visit the magistrate court, you’ll notice many female magistrates present. One of the reasons most of these parents or women didn’t want to follow up their cases or go to court was because they felt the system was not conscious of the peculiarity of women; for example, the judge is a man, lawyers are men, everybody.”
Now, she says “Even in court we can see that we have a number of cases that have been prosecuted to a logical conclusion.”
Similarly, she observes that security agencies such as the police and civil defence now have gender desks or family units due to the series of training they’ve received and an improvement in the investigative foundation.
Cultural Custodians: Leading Change from Within
Traditional leaders significantly influence communities, serving as custodians of culture and values. In the fight against GBV, they are stepping forward to reshape narratives and challenge harmful practices. Their unique position allows them to bridge the gap between modern legislative efforts and deeply rooted cultural traditions, fostering community buy-in for change.
Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, Sarkin Yaki Gagi, serves as the district head of Gagi and is a prominent traditional leader in the fight against SGBV in Sokoto, embodying a significant source of hope. The robust engagement of stakeholders and enhanced feedback systems are reshaping the negative perceptions of the Western world, a challenge that he and others boldly address.
“We enlighten the people on the availability of religious instruments that show that fighting against gender-based violence is not prohibited by Islam, which supports justice for humanity and the survivor,” the traditional leader elucidates.
“We use religious instruments—congregation, Muslim prayers, Friday prayers, other religious and social ceremonies, and international festivities. We use every forum to sensitise the audience, create town hall meetings, create feedback and sustained response team meetings, and coordinate meetings headed by the state’s deputy governor.”
Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi contends that as traditional leaders, they are at the forefront of mobilising communities to transform their norms and perceptions. “Altering the unfavourable perception is unattainable without the engagement of the gatekeepers,” he says.
“The collaborative endeavours of traditional leaders yield significant success, as we serve as the custodians of the grassroots, fostering connections between the community, government, and service providers.”
Hadiza Shagari, Sokoto’s Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, highlights the state’s notable accomplishments in successfully enacting the Child Protection Violation Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities law.
These laws,she points out, have significantly improved the protection and rights of women and children in the state, marking a significant step forward in the state’s commitment to their welfare.
She reassures that the state has been unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that women and girls have unobstructed access to essential care, aiding them in their efforts to reconstruct their lives following traumatic experiences.
The commissioner reiterates the state’s dedication to eradicating violence and detrimental practices directed at women and children.
The Road Ahead
Despite the progress, significant hurdles remain. Stakeholders highlight that inadequate funding for the shelter and Sexual Assault Referral Centre has led to staff attrition.
Other challenges include inadequate livelihood support for SGBV survivors, economic deprivation acting as a trigger for GBV, and the termination of cases midway through court sessions due to the non-availability of survivors and family members as witnesses.
They underscore the need for concerted efforts to overcome the remaining hurdles and create a legacy of zero tolerance for SGBV, envisioning a society where every person is safe and respected.
