The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Arewa Radio and Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), are intensifying efforts towards eradicating gender-based violence in Kano State. Especially as data shows that number of victims from this menace had increased exponentially.

This was disclosed by Kano State National Orientation Agency (NOA), director while receiving the delegation of Centre for Information Technology and Development CITAD at his office today for advocacy visit.

The Director General of NOA, Kano Office, Malam Haruna Lawal, said that the National Orientation Agency is tasked with communicating government policies, staying abreast of public opinion, and promoting patriotism, national unity, and development of Nigerian society.

Haruna Lawal added that violence against women can be compared to a scourge that is consuming societies across the world, adding that it mostly has its roots in age-long cultural and religious practices which have no scientific basis.

The Director General stressed that NOA have ten (10) War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade Volunteers at each and every ward of the state, and they will use the WAI Brigade Volunteers to mobilize and campaign against gender based violence in Kano State.

He also charged all Kano residents to champion the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in their communities as the key to the speedy elimination of the vice in the state.

He further said that the Agency has deepened efforts by engaging critical stakeholders to bring an end to sexual and gender-based violence in the state. “I commend the CITAD for choosing the agency as a worthy partner in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence,”

On her part, the technical gender officer of the center, Zainab Aminu revealed that CITAD is worried at which the rate of cases concerning sexual violence that is why the center started campaigning against this menace with support from Ford Foundation. Adding that CITAD decided to partner the NOA having realized its presence and spread will be essential in reaching out to Kano state residents.

She stressed that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) will be partnering with stakeholders such as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigerian Police, Hisba board, State ministry of education, Traditional rulers and other CSOs and NGOs to bring the needed change regarding Gender base violence in Kano State.

In another development the management of Arewa Radio has said that they will use their medium to raise public awareness and mobilize young women and men in Kano State to end violence against women and girls.

The station manager of Arewa Radio Malam Shehu Bala Kabara made this remark while receiving the delegation of CITAD at his office today.

Shehu Bala Kabara, who is represented by administrative staff of the radio station, Widad Isma’il, added that the management will consider free airtime to CITAD, for campaigning against gender base violence in Kano State.

She said that violence against girls or women, such as rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence are a disservice to the very nature of mankind because every human is born by a woman. When women are hurt, human existence is threatened.

Gender based violence is a common social problem in Nigeria especially in the Northern parts of country. There has been an increase in the cases of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and rape of minors. And acts of violence against girls or women are often intended to intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, threaten or hurt women and girl