NGO Calls for Stronger Action Against Gender-Based Violence in Bauchi.

A policy brief released by the Thamani for Women and Youth Initiative (THAMANI) has revealed that many women and girls in Bauchi State continue to experience gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, forced marriage, and economic abuse, while many survivors remain silent due to fear, stigma, and societal pressure.

The findings were presented during a policy roundtable organized by the NGO on Thursday under the theme, “From Community Voices to Legislative Action: Strengthening Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response in Bauchi State.” The event brought together government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, development partners, and other stakeholders to discuss practical solutions for tackling gender-based violence (GBV) across the state.

Following the discussions, THAMANI called on the Bauchi State Government and the State House of Assembly to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for preventing and responding to GBV. The organization urged policymakers to adopt the recommendations contained in its policy brief and implement them without delay.

Presenting the policy brief, Nicholas Oshojah Afeso, Program Coordinator of THAMANI, thanked participants for their commitment to addressing issues affecting women and girls in Bauchi State.

He explained that the policy dialogue was organized under the #HerVoice Project, with support from the Urgent Action Fund–Africa (UAF-Africa), following months of consultations with women leaders, community members, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders in Dass Local Government Area.

According to Afeso, the consultations informed a comprehensive policy brief containing evidence-based recommendations to improve the state’s response to gender-based violence.

He stressed that one message emerged consistently throughout the consultations and discussions: gender-based violence is not a private family issue but a public health, development, and human rights concern that requires urgent action.

“Our findings show that women and girls continue to experience domestic violence, sexual violence, forced marriage, and economic abuse,” Afeso said. “Unfortunately, many survivors remain silent because of fear, stigma, and social pressure.”

He added that survivors who seek assistance often face significant challenges in accessing healthcare, legal services, psychosocial support, and justice because of weak referral systems and limited institutional capacity.

According to him, these gaps not only affect survivors but also place additional pressure on the state’s healthcare and social protection systems.

Afeso further noted that gender-based violence has far-reaching consequences beyond individual victims. He explained that it contributes to poor maternal and reproductive health outcomes, increases vulnerability to infectious diseases, disrupts children’s education, weakens family stability, limits economic opportunities, and slows community development.

“When women and girls cannot live free from violence, communities cannot reach their full social and economic potential,” he said.

During the roundtable, stakeholders agreed on several priority actions to strengthen GBV prevention and response across the state.

Among the recommendations was the need to establish stronger survivor-centered response systems that provide timely access to healthcare, legal assistance, psychosocial support, and protection through coordinated referral mechanisms.

Participants also called for increased investment in primary healthcare services by training frontline health workers to identify, support, and appropriately refer survivors of gender-based violence, particularly in underserved communities.

The policy brief further emphasized the importance of empowering community structures, including women leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Fathers’ Forums, and civil society organizations, to challenge harmful cultural practices, support survivors, and encourage reporting of abuse.

Stakeholders also advocated for stronger implementation of existing laws, improved coordination among government institutions, better data collection, sustainable funding for GBV response programs, and policies that prioritize survivor protection and accountability.

THAMANI urged relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to strengthen collaboration and improve service delivery so that survivors can access protection and justice regardless of where they live.

The organization also appealed to the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), tertiary institutions, and school administrators to integrate GBV prevention into educational policies and programs.

According to the policy brief, schools should establish safeguarding policies, create effective reporting mechanisms, implement awareness campaigns, and incorporate lessons on consent, respectful relationships, and gender-based violence prevention into both academic and extracurricular activities.

“Every educational institution should be a safe environment where students can learn free from violence, intimidation, exploitation, and discrimination,” Afeso said.

He also called on traditional and religious leaders to continue promoting values that protect the dignity of women and girls, discourage harmful practices, and support justice for survivors.

The organization encouraged civil society groups and development partners to strengthen advocacy efforts, community education, and service delivery while urging the media to continue reporting gender-based violence accurately and responsibly.

Afeso noted that the discussions demonstrated the importance of translating community experiences into practical policy reforms capable of delivering lasting change.

He emphasized that meaningful progress would require collaboration among government institutions, lawmakers, community leaders, development partners, civil society organizations, the media, and citizens.

“Together, we can build a Bauchi State where women and girls live free from violence, survivors receive the support they deserve, and communities thrive in peace, dignity, and equality,” he said.

Addressing survivors directly, Afeso concluded by reaffirming that every woman and girl deserves protection, justice, dignity, and access to quality support services.

“No one should suffer violence in silence,” he said.