The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) supported by Ford Foundation has commenced sensitization of women and girls in communities affected by insurgency in North East against Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV).
Speaking at the flag-off of the three year programme in Bulumkutu community in Borno on Tuesday, a Senior Researcher of CDD, Mala Mustafa said the awareness programme is for identified communities at risk in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
“Our major talking point in this sensitization focused on access to justice, breaking cultural barriers of silence which we discover is undermining accountability for perpetrators and access to justice for victims as well.
“The sensitization is also to rebuild capacity and resilience of communities against stigmatisation.
“We are targeting communities that are at risk in GBV and this community is one of them, ” Mustafa said.
He explained that the awareness would also enhanced access to justice for survivors.
Also speaking, the Gender Advisor for GBV in CDD, Amina Nur Alkali, said the women and girls were being enlightened on Chilld Right and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP Act) passed into law and the processes to follow in seeking justice.
Others who spoke at the occassion included the Borno Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission, Jummai Mshelia, representatives of Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and Faith Based Organisations.
