Taimako Community Development Initiative, Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation For Peace Organise Community Dialogue

In a bold step towards combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in their community, the people of Azbak, Bade LGA, Yobe State, came together for a day-long community dialogue. The event, organized by Taimako Community Development Initiative (TCDI) in partnership with Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), aimed to raise awareness, promote understanding, and establish a community-led response to GBV.

The dialogue, held at the Azbak community center, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including community leaders, religious leaders, vigilante groups, keke Napep riders, market women, youth leaders, social workers, and teachers. The event provided a platform for participants to share their perspectives, experiences, and concerns regarding GBV.

In his opening remarks, a community gatekeeper emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in preventing GBV. He urged parents to provide for their children’s basic needs and quality education, particularly for the girl child, who he described as the “foundation of a brighter community.”

Religious leaders also played a significant role in the dialogue, with the Imam calling upon youths and keke Napep riders to respect the rights and dignity of women and girls. He emphasized that religion encourages marriage, but only through the right channels, and that exploiting vulnerable individuals is unacceptable.

The vigilante group representatives stressed the need for collective action in protecting the community from GBV perpetrators. They noted that some parents often prove difficult when their children are involved in crimes, and emphasized the importance of standing together to address these challenges.

The dialogue resulted in several key outcomes, including a change in practices, knowledge, attitude, and beliefs towards GBV response services. The community also established a safeguarding committee to provide quality GBV response services.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Zara, who provided an overview of the session, commended the community for their participation and commitment to addressing GBV. She emphasized the importance of sustained efforts and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the protection and empowerment of women and girls in the community.

The event marked a significant milestone in the community’s efforts to combat GBV, and demonstrated the power of collective action in promoting positive change.