Fifty Sharia Court judges, 100 Islamic clerics and selected Da’awah group leaders have been sensitized on the prevention of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kano State.
Speaking at the occassion of the International Women’s Day celebration in the state, a Muslim opinion leader, Aisha Tijjani explained that this initiative was as a result of the recognition of the critical roles of these judicial officers and religious leaders in addressing Gender Based Violence(GBV) in an Islamic society.
Aisha, who spoke on behalf of civil society group, Development Research and Project Center(dRPC), remarked that the Center was currently training Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) with a view to strengthening their capacity to communicate, advocate, sensiitize and drive positive changes towards the prevention of violence against women across Northern Nigeria.
“The project leverages religious leaders’ influence to challenge harmful cultural norms and practices contributing to violence against women and girls within an Islamic framework’ she stated.
As part of the initiative, she remarked that the Center has facilitated a Peer –to- Peer study tour for selected Muslim Opinion Leaders in Egypt, enabling them to engage with esteemed Islamic institutions, including the Al- Azhar University and the Grand Mulfi’s office.
“ The knowledge and insights on women in Islam, economic empowerment and GBV prevention are being disseminated through a step—down training workshops for Friday Mosques Clerics in Kano and Kaduna State” she disclosed.
She harped on the need for women education,, emphasizing that, “Without education, there can be no meaningful development. It is the women’s right in Islam to be educated.”
Speaking earlier, Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Amina Abdullahi reflected on the significant contributions of women in the state and pledged to prioritize and promote their wellbeing as well as champion their rights with a view to ensuring equity for all genders.
While citing historical examples, she remarked that Islam encouraged women economic empowerment and women’s right to earn income.
The State government also used the occasion to honour some notable women in the state among which included the wife of the former Head of State, Maryam Sani Abacha and Professor Gaji Dantata, among others.