An associate professor at the University of Leicester, Hajiya Zainab Ladan Mai-Bornu, has emphasized that the best way to curb rampant cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which cause untold hardship, frustration, and untimely deaths in society, is for couples to respect each other and not to resort to violence during minor quarrels.
She highlighted that women and girls are the primary victims of violence and insecurity in the country.
Speaking during a workshop organized for civil society and traditional rulers in Kano, Hajiya Zainab emphasized the need to embrace a bottom-up approach to communication, rather than a top-down approach, to ensure grassroots understanding of the effects of GBV.
While discussing the theme “Theory of Change: Women’s Participation in the Peacebuilding Process,” Hajiya Zainab stressed the importance of positive understanding between husbands and wives.
She mentioned that similar programs had been held in the Niger Delta region, and due to the prevalence of GBV in the northern part of the country, the organization decided to host the program in the North.
The organization resolved to gather CSOs, traditional leaders, and elders in the northern part of the country to discuss ways to tackle the rampant cases of GBV.
According to her, “Anything that affects women and girls goes beyond religion and ethnic divides. The organizers aim to bring together women from the Niger Delta and the Northern regions to address GBV collaboratively.”
She also discussed the importance of giving women more opportunities as local leaders by engaging them in peacebuilding and decision-making at the highest levels, which would lead to significant improvements.
However, she noted that GBV affects not only women but also men, stressing the need to treat each other with dignity and humanity, without oppression.
Hajiya Zainab urged husbands to be mindful of how they treat their wives in front of their children, as children observe how their mothers are treated. She warned that negative attitudes do not bode well for the proper upbringing of children.
She concluded that a husband who fails to respect the dignity of his wife cannot expect her to be subservient or respectful.
“Both husbands, wives, and even children need to inculcate the habit of respecting each other, which would ensure a better society,” she said.