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Agency Report

Daily Courier – Kuchiko-Bwari community in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, has declared zero tolerance status to sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls following the intervention been implemented by the Sexual Offences Awareness and Response Initiative popularly known as SOAR Initiative under the project “Strengthening the Capacities of Local Women’s Rights Organisations to end Violence Against Women & Girls” SLOC-VAWG funded by ActionAid Nigeria.

Gender-based violence GBV or violence against women and girls VAWG, is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.

35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Globally, 7% of women have been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner.

Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.

200 million women have experienced female genital mutilation.

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At an event, on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, organised for the unveiling of the project in Kichiko-Bwari Community, by Sexual Offences Awareness and Response Initiative popularly known as SOAR Initiative, Chairman of Bwari Area Council John S. Gabaya represented by Adam Ahmad Adam, said that the event was to create awareness of zero tolerance of sexual & gender-based violence against women and girls in their community.

“Children’s rights have been trampled upon in our community, we don’t value humanity and give dignity to these people, that is why we are facing challenges with violence against women and girls in our society”.

Project Officer of SOAR Initiative, Levi Yakubu, stated that they have trained women, girls and men in the community as well as sensitised them on sexual & gender-based violence which is a human right violation.

He added that human rights violations should be channelled to appropriate authorities for redress rather than resolving it at home.

“Before the training, the community did not know that human rights violations are crimes to humanity, thereafter came up with bye-laws that will guide them”.

Operation Manager of SOAR Initiative, Anette Pwajok, noted that the pledge-taking activity and the Child Protection Committee inauguration during the event was a total declaration of zero tolerance on sexual & gender-based violence against women and girls in the Kuchiko-Bwari community.

She explained that parents have a lot to do, and they must take their responsibility very seriously.

“We have to be at the watch of their wellbeing, emotionally, and socially. That is why we work in these types of communities because they have less information than the cities”.

The Child Protection Committee, under the chairmanship of Pastor Olatunji Timilehin was inaugurated alongside the oath-taking ceremony.