The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice has taken a proactive step in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) by organizing a sensitization campaign at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi. The event, which was held in collaboration with ATBU's Faculty of Environmental Technology and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aimed to educate the university community about the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and other legal frameworks protecting citizens from campus-based violence.
The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sabiu Adamu Gumba, delivered a charge to the students, urging them to discountenance the tradition of silence and report all instances of GBV on their campuses. He emphasized that the ministry would continue to protect the human rights of everyone involved, including the accused, until they are proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Gumba also clarified that the VAPP law, which was passed in 2022, covers specific offenses, including intimidation, assault, rape, and cybercrime, which severely impact women, children, and vulnerable groups.
The Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Technology, Prof. Adamu Babayo, welcomed the initiative and admitted that conversations around GBV have exposed deep-seated issues regarding harmful actions and gender norms within the institution. He stated that the faculty had realized that they had been propagating issues among themselves as staff and students without fully understanding the legal consequences of their actions. To maximize the impact of the training, the faculty selected two student representatives per department across all levels, from 100 to 500, along with faculty staff.
Prof. Babayo expressed optimism that the selected participants would act as ambassadors to cascade the anti-GBV message to their peers and homes. He also reminded attendees that GBV is a cross-cutting issue, affecting not only females but also male partners. According to him, "Gender-based violence goes both ways. Do not assume that because it is labeled 'gender,' only females are affected. Male partners can also be victims."
The Executive Director of the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), Elizabeth Carr, also joined the call for absolute transparency. Represented by Bulak Afsa, Carr warned against covering up abuses and stated that journalists across Bauchi State would deploy professional reporting to expose campus GBV and protect the dignity of victims.
The sensitization campaign, which was attended by students and faculty staff, focused on educating the university community about the VAPP Law and other legal frameworks protecting citizens from campus-based violence. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the issue of GBV and its impact on the university community. The participants were also encouraged to speak out against GBV and report any incidents to the relevant authorities.
The collaboration between the Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, ATBU, and UNFPA demonstrates a commitment to eradicating GBV on campuses. The stakeholders have emphasized the need for collective action to address the issue, and the campaign is expected to have a positive impact on the university community. The ministry's efforts to raise awareness about GBV and the VAPP Law are crucial in preventing and reducing incidents of violence on campuses.
Key points
- The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice has charged students to report all instances of gender-based violence (GBV) on their campuses.
- The VAPP law, which was passed in 2022, covers specific offenses, including intimidation, assault, rape, and cybercrime.
- The campaign provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the issue of GBV and its impact on the university community.
