The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) today begins a two-day Stakeholder dialogue on the Islamic Perspective on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention in Abuja.
The event, jointly organised by the dRPC, Muslim Opinion Leaders for the Prevention of GBV in Northern Nigeria, and the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue, will feature the launch of key manuals.
This includes the launch of the Abridged Version of the Al-Azhar Guide on the Islamic Perspective of GBV; The Hausa Translation of the Islamic Guide on GBV in Northern Nigeria; and the Guidelines on the Islamic Perspective for GBV Prevention for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual & GBV.
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) will also launch its Guidelines on the Role of Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) in peace, protection and prevention in conflict-related SGBV in Nigeria.
The line-up of speakers includes the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Kano State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Tijjani Auwal; Secretary to the Governor of Kano State, Umar Ibrahim; and the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Haruna Musa.
The Lead Paper on Religious Guidelines and the Role of Muslim Leaders in the Prevention of GBV will be presented by Gamaleldin Aboulserour, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and director of the International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research, at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
PREMIUM TIMES is on the ground to provide live updates of the event scheduled to commence by 9 a.m. in Abuja.
9:44 am: Master of Ceremony introduces the programme, Stakeholder Dialogue on the Islamic Perspective on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and FOMWAN Launch of Guidelines on the Role of MOLs in Peace, Protection and Prevention in Conflict-Related SGBV in Nigeria.
The MC also introduced the organising organisation, including dRPC, Muslim Opinion Leaders for the Prevention of GBV in Northern Nigeria and the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue.
9:47 a.m.: Opening prayers by Ahmad Yankuzo, chief Imam, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State
9:49 a.m.: Participants stood to recite the National Anthem
9:57 am: The Master of Ceremony introduces the guests and reads the highlights of today’s event.
The items on the agenda include a welcome address from the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID), Goodwill addresses by guests and partners, including the sponsor, Ford Foundation, and a keynote address on the Islamic perspective on GBV, keynote presentation on religious guidelines and the Role of Muslim Leaders in the Prevention of GBV, launch of three manuals, a panel discussion and experience sharing.
10:07 a.m.: A member of the board of the dRPC, Sani Garko, a professor, takes the podium to deliver the welcome address
10:08 a.m.: He spoke about how the dRPC was founded by academics at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, when there were not a lot of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Northern Nigeria.
10:09 a.m.: He said the organisation was committed to addressing issues plaguing Northern Nigeria. One of them, he said, is GBV. He explained the role of traditional leaders in shaping opinions about GBV.
10:15 am: Director, CICID, BUK, Taufiq Abubakar, welcome insightful conversations. share stories and work that needs to be done.
10:17 am: He emphasised that molestation and all forms of harassment are prohibited in Islam.
10:20 am: He said Islam has a code of conduct for treating women, which, if followed, will lead to a GBV-free society.
10:23 a.m.: In his goodwill message, Programme Officer, Ford Foundation, Oumar N’diaye, urged participants to take the messages to be discussed from the room to their communities.
He encouraged participants and recognised the efforts of all the stakeholders in ending GBV.
10:31 a.m.: The Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Kano State, delivers a goodwill address, Tijjani Auwal.
10:33 a.m.: Mr Auwal said organisations like the dRPC reach where the government cannot reach.
10:40 a.m.: The Secretary to the Government of Kano State, Umar Ibrahim, said some dRPC-trained Muslim Opinion Leaders supported the state government’s women’s economic empowerment policy.
He appreciated the support and partnership of the stakeholders and their commitment to ending GBV.
10:45 am: The Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University Kano (BUK), Haruna Musa, a professor. He is represented by Safiya Nuhu.
10:47 am: Mr Musa said despite provisions of Islam that prohibits GBV, harmful cultural practices have allowed it to persist.
10:50 am: He emphasised that Islamic scholars and leaders have an important role in influencing the society to end GBV.
10:52 am: He commended dRPC for its role in engaging Islamic scholars and using them as champions of the initiative.
10:53 am: He expressed commitment to the initiative and described it as a community service for the university.
11:05 am: Imam Usman noted that laws and courts alone cannot completely solve the challenge of GBV. He said that alongside the law, there must be family, society, school, and moral education to spread the culture of tolerance and non-violence among individuals.
11:07 am: He said Islam has general and specific texts prohibiting violence. He said the general asked people to treat each other kindly.
11:08 am: He said there is a constant recommendation to spread mercy and compassion in the Qur’an.
11:11 am: He said the family in Islam is the first protective fence and is given utmost importance.
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