Kano records 4,000 cases of sexual violence – NGO

A non-governmental organization, Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), has said that 4,000 cases of sexual violence have been recorded in Kano in the last five years.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BCAI, Mrs. Fatima Musa, disclosed this at the launch of the Women Against Violence Empowered Sustainability (WAVES) project, which targets 50 survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), those at risk , and women in smallholder farming in Kano State.

According to her, based on the UNICEF report, women and girls face significant gender inequality, with 1 in 3 women reporting experiences of GBV. She added that available statistics from the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) showed a record of 171 cases of GBV between November 2022 and February 2023 in the state, while another record came from the state chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (International Federation of Women Lawyers). The WARAKA Referral Center for Sexual Violence) has documented more than 4,000 cases of sexual violence in the past five years.

She further explained that as an organization focused on protecting women and girls from all forms of violence, she will continue her advocacy against GBV and other harmful practices.

“Supported by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CPRLI), the WAVES project aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of empowered women in Kano, promote economic security and combat GBV through training in GBV prevention, financial literacy and business development and sustainable agricultural practices.

“Our work and experiences show that societal norms, economic challenges and even climate change are among the factors that, among other things, trap many women in cycles of poverty and dependency, increasing their risk of gender-based violence.

“While some survive through the small-scale agricultural industry, their efforts are often hampered by limited skills and market access, leading to continued vulnerability and exploitation.

“By the end of the WAVES project, we see that these women will flourish in their businesses and advocate for a sustainable, violence-free society where they can fully realize their potential,” said Ms. Musa.