Mercy Corps and Kaduna State Peace Commission on Monday held a stakeholders sensitisation meeting to explore ways to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum, held in Kaduna, was attended by traditional leaders, security agents and women leaders.

It was convened through Mercy Corps’ Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP) in collaboration with the peace commission, as part of 16 days activism to end violence against women.

The CIPP Chief at Mercy Corps, Mr David Gatare said the initiative was to build strong collaboration among critical stakeholders in addressing impediments to women’s peace and security, as well as peaceful coexistence.

Gatare said CIPP was lending its voice to the global campaign to end violence against women by mobilising relevant stakeholders in the state to own the advocacy.

According to him, the aim is to promote dialogue that seeks to end gender based violence, promote positive male engagement, and peaceful and safe communities in Kaduna state.

He said that the participants were drafted to carry on with the campaign because of their prominent roles at the grassroots level in promoting cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

“It is our hope we can synthesize best practices and approaches for responding effectively to gendered dimensions of conflict to inform appropriate intervention,” Gatare said.

He disclosed that a survey commissioned by Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre, revealed that Kaduna state was one of the three states that recorded highest number of incidence of sexual violence against women at the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.

He said gender base violence can negatively impact conflicts by fueling grievances, inducing trauma and dividing communities.

One of the participants, Mrs Ruth Magaji, the Chairperson, Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, described the event as apt, as it was meant to galvanise action against gender based violence.

She cautioned against stereotyping of women, saying all sexes deserve equal opportunities to contribute to societal development.

Mrs Magaji said parents should instill values of decency in their children irrespective of gender, while couples must complement each other in all circumstances.

Mr Ayuba Abdullahi, a community leader in Kachia Local Government Area, appreciated the forum, saying the protection of community members should be pursued without discrimination.

“Communities should always engage with women when it comes to issue of peace as they are also key players to peaceful coexistence,” he added.

Abdullahi pledged to step down what he learned from the discussions to members of his community.

Another participant, Alhaji Yusuf Ja’afaru from Zaria, called for the continuation of the engagement and advocacy, to ensure the security and safety of not only women, but all segment of the society.

“I am really happy to have witnessed this event which is about peace and stability; anything that has to do with peace will bring together people from different aspects of life. God is always happy with this kind of gathering,” he said.

He urged government to work closely with traditional leaders and liaise with them whenever there is any serious issue of discussion regarding peace.