150 Gombe Youth, Women Leaders Trained to Combat Gender-Based Violence

150 Gombe Youth, Women Leaders Trained to Combat Gender-Based Violence

By Danjuma Attah

No fewer than 150 youth and women leaders in Gombe State have been equipped with practical skills to identify, prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV), as part of a grassroots empowerment drive by the Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI) in partnership with Women Aid Collective (WACOL).

The initiative, which aims to train 200 community influencers over a two-year period, is designed to strengthen local capacity in tackling GBV, particularly in vulnerable communities. The latest session, held over two days, brought together 50 participants as part of the third-quarter training cycle.

Speaking during the program, FOCEI Team Lead, Dr. Benjamin Maina, described GBV as a widespread violation of human rights that continues to affect individuals and families across Nigeria. He stressed the urgency of collective action to confront what he called a “silent crisis” undermining communities.

According to him, the training is focused on empowering participants with the knowledge to recognize abuse, respond appropriately, and guide survivors through established support systems. He also urged participants to encourage victims to speak out, noting that breaking the culture of silence remains key to addressing the problem.

In her presentation, Dr Leah Iliya Jalo of Gombe State University explained the various forms and contexts of GBV, including its occurrence within religious settings. She challenged participants to use their new knowledge to promote awareness and support victims, describing them as “agents of change” in their communities.

Also speaking, Reverend Apollos Hassan of ECWA Goodnews Church highlighted the role of faith-based institutions in addressing GBV. He cautioned against the misuse of religious teachings to justify abuse and called on clerics to work closely with legal authorities and professionals in handling such cases. He reiterated that the Church must maintain zero tolerance for all forms of violence.

Barrister Mwalin Naomi Abdu, who spoke on legal frameworks and response pathways, noted that GBV remains deeply rooted in many communities. However, she commended the establishment of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the State Specialist Hospital, describing it as a critical intervention providing support and justice for survivors.

She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure victims received timely care and legal redress.

Other facilitators, including Mrs Amina Jafun and Miss Martha Audu Kudi, encouraged participants to take ownership of the fight against GBV, urging them to become advocates for change within their localities.

Participants expressed appreciation for the training, describing it as eye-opening and transformative. Some shared personal experiences, noting that the knowledge gained would have helped them better respond to past situations involving abuse.

The project, supported by WACOL, is currently being implemented in Liji and Zambuk communities of Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area, with a focus on empowering women and community leaders to prevent and respond effectively to GBV through strengthened grassroots structures.