The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice has taken a proactive step to address the growing concern of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on campuses. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Barr. Sabiu Adamu Gumba, recently led a one-day sensitization campaign at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi. The event, organized 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 VAPP Law and other legal frameworks protecting citizens from campus-based violence.
During the campaign, Barr. Gumba emphasized the importance of reporting all instances of GBV, challenging students to shatter the tradition of silence. He clarified that while the ministry is committed to eradicating GBV, it must also uphold constitutional rights, ensuring that the human rights of everyone involved are protected. The VAPP Law, 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, acknowledging that conversations around GBV have exposed deep-seated issues regarding harmful actions and gender norms within the institution. To maximize the impact of the training, the faculty selected two student representatives per department across all 100 to 500 levels, alongside faculty staff, to act as ambassadors and cascade the anti-GBV message to their peers and homes.
Prof. Babayo also noted that GBV is a cross-cutting issue, affecting not only females but also male partners. He emphasized that the selected participants would play a crucial role in promoting a culture of zero tolerance for GBV on campus. The faculty's effort to involve students in the campaign reflects its commitment to creating a safe and supportive learning environment.
Civil society organizations also joined the call for absolute transparency in addressing GBV. The Executive Director of the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), Elizabeth Carr, warned against covering up abuses, assuring that journalists across Bauchi State would deploy professional reporting to expose campus GBV and protect the dignity of victims.
The program received strong goodwill messages from the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, as well as the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Both ministries lauded the timely sensitization drive, describing it as a major milestone in cleansing tertiary institutions of gender-sensitive violations.
The partnership between the Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, ATBU, and UNFPA demonstrates a concerted effort to combat GBV on campuses. By engaging students and staff in the campaign, the initiative aims to create a cultural shift, promoting a society where GBV is not tolerated. The collaboration also highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing complex social issues.
Key points
- The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice partners with ATBU and UNFPA to combat campus GBV.
- The VAPP Law, passed in 2022, covers specific offenses, including intimidation, assault, rape, and cybercrime.
- The campaign aims to educate the university community about the VAPP Law and other legal frameworks protecting citizens from campus-based violence.
