Francis Sardauna in Katsina
A non-governmental organisation, Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), has trained Christian women in Katsina State to take the lead in preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through coordinated, survivor-centred and community-driven approaches.
The two-day training, which commenced Monday in the Katsina metropolis, brought together women leaders, human right defenders, youth representatives and community advocates from Katsina and Batagarawa Local Government Areas of the state.
Themed “Women Leadership and Empowerment”, the training equipped the participants with practical skills in communication, community engagement and safe referral mechanisms to ensure survivors receive appropriate support.
With funding from Women Aid Collective (WACOL), the training is being conducted through the organisation’s Empowering Christian Women and Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria project.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of GAT, Dr. Lydia Umar, said the training was designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills and leadership capacity of participants to address gender-based violence within their communities.
She said GBV remains one of the most pressing social and human rights challenges affecting communities, stressing that it is not merely a personal or family issue but one that impacts health, livelihoods, social cohesion and development.
“The effects of GBV go beyond the survivor — they ripple through families, institutions and future generations. This is why collective action, leadership and informed advocacy are critical,” she said.
Represented by the Project Officer, Rebecca James Bilai, Umar explained that the training would explore the influence of social norms and the roles that community, faith and traditional leaders play in prevention and response efforts.
According to her, the workshop aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the forms, root causes and impacts of GBV within the local context, particularly at the local government area and community levels.
She urged the particularly to take the lead in preventing and responding to gender-based violence through coordinated, survivor-centred and community-driven approaches.
She added: “The specific objectives of this two-day workshop is to increase understanding of GBV, strengthen leadership for prevention, address harmful norms and beliefs.
“Others include improving communication and advocacy skills, enhancing community response mechanisms and promoting creative action and commitment.”
In his presentation on Community Leadership and GBV Prevention, Tukura Bege Andrew, called on the participants to identify and report harmful norms, support survivors with dignity, and promote accountability within their communities.
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