#UNFPA/Global Affairs Canada Project Changing Social Norms On GBV — Steering committee chair—-The Global Affairs Canada (GAC) project being coordinated by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria in Oyo, Bauchi and Sokoto is changing social norms against perpetuation of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the three states and beyond.
Dr Samaila Dahuwa, the Chairman of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), who is also the Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, made this known while declaring open a two-day PSC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that the three-year project, which is on “Addressing Gaps in Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Traditional Practices in Nigeria”, contain strategic interventions toward addressing child marriage and obstetrics fistula through increased access to girl-child education.
Represented by Ali Babayo, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Health, the commissioner added that the interventions had strengthened the health systems on provision of essential fistula treatment and addressing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through preventive curative services for women and girls.
The committee chairman said that the handlers of the project engaged communities through social and traditional media to address behavioural change on the GBV menace.
He commended the government and people of Canada “for the laudable intervention which has transformed lives and changing social norms.”
He also thanked UNFPA Nigeria and Implementing Partners (IP) for being the driving force of the project to ensure violence-free societies for accelerated development.
Catherine Nadeau, First Secretary (Political Affairs), Global Affairs Canada, commended the efforts of UNFPA and Implementing Partners toward achieving the goals of the project and reiterated the Canadian government’s determination to tackle the menace.
She said GBV is a global issue that must be tackled to enable growth and development, stressing that all hands must be on deck to deal with the situation.
The UNFPA Country Representative, Ulla Mueller, also commended the government of Canada for the project, aimed at curtailing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs) in Nigeria.
Represented by Mr Osaretin Adorin, the UNFPA Assistant Country Representative, Mueller said it had been challenging through the years with COVID-19 “because in spite of efforts made to curtail the menace, cases of SGBV/HTPs continue to occur in many countries including Nigeria.
“However, the project handlers have continued to enlighten the public about the ills of the practice.”
She reiterated the Fund’s determination to support efforts toward gender equality and empowerment where no one is left behind.
Dr Musa Elisha, UNFPA Gender and Reproductive Health Specialist, who gave an overview of the project, said UNFPA received funding from Global Affairs Canada in 2018 to address gaps in GBV and HTPs.
According to him, the project is to improve legislative and policy environment for the elimination of GBV according to international standards and best practices.
Elisha said “the project is also aimed at increasing the availability and utilisation of data in addressing GBV/HTPs against women and girls.
“This is because GBV/HTPs in Nigeria transcends socio-economic groups, with variations along geopolitical zones, cultural and religious systems and affiliations.”
He quoted the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey of 2018 as indicating that “31 per cent and nine per cent of women and girls aged 15-49 have undergone physical abuse and sexual violence.
“Harmful traditional practices are also prevalent, with FGM reported at 20 per cent and women marrying before age 18 at 43 per cent. Unfortunately, child marriage and FGM are directly correlated to obstetric fistula, a debilitating injury resulting from prolonged childbirth.
“In Nigeria, an estimated 13,000 new cases of obstetric fistula occur every year.”
Prof. Oladosu Ojengbede of the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health who spoke on behalf of Non-Governmental Organisations implementing the project, appreciated Canada for the fund and UNFPA for coordinating the project.
He said that the states where the project is being implemented are critical to achieving the goal of tackling GBV and HTPs in the country
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