Female Lawyers Train Security Agencies On Election Violence Against Women In Kaduna
By: Abdullahi Ahmad Bamalli
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kaduna State branch has trained police and other security personnel on election violence against women.
Speaking at the occasion the country’s Vice president and National President of FIDA, Amina Agbaje remarked that the training was essential to prevent and respond to election violence perpetrated against women before, during, and after the 2023 election.
Represented by the state chairman of FIDA Kaduna State, Aisha Abdu Muhammad, Agbaje noted that over the years women have become victims of election violence.
She recalled how some time ago, how election violence led to the death of a prominent politician in Kogi and the most recent one in Kaduna, saying it was for this reason that FIDA decided to train security personnel in four states of the country to curtail the violence perpetrated against women.
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She stated the security personnel will be trained in Kwara, Borno, Plateau, and Kaduna states.
According to her, globally women share a common feature of marginalisation, and their participation in politics has continued to be minimal because most often they are afraid of coming out to exercise their civic responsibility.
“So this workshop is intended to strengthen the capacity of the law enforcement officers and institutions to encourage more participation of women by ensuring hitch-free violence before, during, and after elections.
In his goodwill message, the state commissioner of Police, CP Yekini Adio Ayoku described the training as apt because women are always vulnerable to all sorts of intimidation and harassment.
Represented by SP Martin Danjuma noted that it was, for this reason, that the majority of women are afraid to go out during elections.
Also speaking, the Commander of the state Vigilante Service, Brigadier Gen, UM Ibrahim remarked that about 15,000 members of his organisation will be engaged in the 2023 general elections.
Represented by Zailani Musa, the PRO of the service said his service is ready to abide by the laws and support any move for a hitch-free election including protecting the rights of women.
