By Aisha Hamman.
On December 10, 2024, Lift Africa Foundation, a leading non-profit organization committed to advocating for gender equality and addressing gender-based violence (GBV), concluded its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a landmark walk in Kano State.
This event gathered hundreds of participants, including government officials, civil society organizations, and activists, to advocate for stronger measures to combat GBV. Event Highlights
The walk brought together key stakeholders, including the NAPTIP Kano Zonal Office Commander, the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kano Chapter, and the Honourable Commissioners for Women Affairs, Health, and Information.
The event concluded with the Deputy Governor of Kano State, representing the Governor, receiving the participants and their demands.
The walk marked the culmination of a series of impactful events organized by Lift Africa Foundation in collaboration with stakeholders and partners, running from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).
These activities included: • Radio and TV Sensitization Campaigns: Raising awareness on GBV and the importance of domesticating the VAPP Law in Kano State.
Stakeholder Roundtable: Assessing progress in GBV response and setting future priorities.
Capacity Building for First Responders: Training responders to effectively handle GBV cases and provide comprehensive support to survivors.
Key Statement from Aisha Hamman Speaking at the event, Aisha Hamman, Founder and Executive Director of Lift Africa Foundation, emphasized the critical need for legislative reforms in Kano State:
“Since the passage of the VAPP Act in Nigeria in 2015, Kano State remains the only state yet to domesticate the law.
Lift Africa Foundation has tirelessly advocated for its adoption, and we are encouraged by the creation of a committee to draft the harmonized VAPP Law. However, the time for action is now.
Kano must enact this legislation to protect women and girls from violence and provide justice for survivors,” Hamman stated.
She further highlighted the alarming rates of GBV in the state, calling for urgent structural and legal reforms to address the crisis and safeguard vulnerable populations.
NAPTIP Commander’s Remarks The NAPTIP Kano Zonal Commander, Babale A., reiterated the agency’s commitment to ending human trafficking and GBV while promoting the rights of women and girls. He shared NAPTIP’s recent initiatives, including:
Establishing a Sexual Assault Referral Register to record convicted offenders and ensure their details are publicly accessible.
Implementing measures to publish offenders’ criminal records, preventing them from gaining employment in Nigeria as a deterrent.
Key Demands Presented Lift Africa Foundation, alongside its partners, presented the following demands to the Kano State Government during the event:
Passage of the Harmonized VAPP Law: Immediate passage and implementation to establish a comprehensive legal framework for addressing GBV.
Upgrading and Reactivating Waraka Center (SARC): Expand the Waraka Center’s services to include VVF care, vocational training, and survivor empowerment programs.
Increased Budget for GBV Response: Allocate a dedicated budget for GBV response, including survivor welfare and support mechanisms.
Expansion of Shelter Capacity at NAPTIP Kano: Increase capacity from 50 to 250 beds to adequately support survivors of GBV and human trafficking.
Provision of Operational Vehicles for NAPTIP: Equip NAPTIP Kano Zonal Office with vehicles to enhance service delivery and outreach.
Establishment of a Shelter Maintenance Fund: Create a fund to ensure the sustainability of shelter operations and special services for survivors.
Conclusion Lift Africa Foundation’s 16 Days of Activism campaign has solidified its leadership role in combating GBV in Kano State.
Through sustained advocacy and collaboration with stakeholders, the Foundation remains committed to building a society where women and girls live free from violence and discrimination.
“Ending gender-based violence is a collective responsibility. We thank the Kano State Government, our partners, and the people of Kano for their continued support.
Together, we can create a safer, more equitable future for all,” Aisha Hamman concluded.
About Lift Africa Foundation Lift Africa Foundation is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized communities, advocating for gender equality, and providing support to survivors of gender-based violence.
With a focus on advocacy, education, and legal support, the Foundation continues to lead efforts to eliminate violence and exploitation in Nigeria.
