BUK launches protection policy on GBV

The Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has launched a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Protection Policy.

The policy was launched in collaboration with the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and the Yar’Adua Foundation on Wednesday in Kano.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sagir Adamu-Abbas, said that the institution had well-articulated and clear rules and regulations.

He explained that the rules and regulations provided an environment that was safe, non-discriminatory, non-exploitative and free from harassment and sexual assault.

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The VC also said that the institution would continue to support such collaboration to check any conduct or behaviour capable of undermining the atmosphere of trust and respect.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Academic Planning Unit, Dr Yusuf Garba, Adamu-Abbas noted that the institution was committed to educating the university community on the ills of harassment and related anti-social behaviours.

The WRAPA Secretary-General, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, said that the measure was in view of the increasing cases of violence against women in parts of the country.

The secretary general said that the policy, which was a pilot one, tagged: “Strengthening GBV Protection”, would be implemented in collaboration with the institution.

According to her, it will also be implemented in three other universities in the country.

She listed the universities to include – University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Lagos, and the American University, Yola.

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She explained that an online platform had already been created to enable survivors of GBV to report to authorities for prompt action.

She said “one can easily use android phone to enter the whistleblowing platform via: ‘www.genderjustice.org.ng‘ to lodge complaint, the survivor should get the evidences ready.

“The survivor should also be patient because proving such cases is difficult and can take more time to be established in courts.”

The Director, Centre for Gender Studies, BUK, Dr Suwaiba Sa’id-Ahmed, said that the online platform was accessible to all students within the campuses.

She noted that the institution, for long, had zero tolerance for sexual assault and related anti-social behaviours.

The director further revealed that the university would continue to strengthen partnership with other organisations on gender policy and gender-based violence related issues.(NAN)