The Women In Mining In Nigeria, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, has formally expressed its urgency to the Nasarawa State Government to promptly address the prevalent issue of sexual harassment and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the state.
WIMIN, a non-governmental organization devoted to advancing the participation of women in the Nigerian mineral exploration and mining sector, remains steadfast in its dedication to community engagement, research, capacity building, and strategic discourse.
During the commencement of a 3-day training for Service Providers on Sexual Gender-Based Violence in Lafia, President of WIMIN Janet Adeyemi articulated deep concern over the escalating incidences of GBV affecting its members and females across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state. Adeyemi emphasized that despite awareness campaigns, the rights of women have continuously been violated and disregarded.
The training programme, entitled “Eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Mining Host Communities,” has the principal objective of devising solutions to address GBV impacting females in mining sites and host communities in Nigeria. Adeyemi strongly condemned the ongoing sexual exploitation, harassment, and abuse suffered by female miners.
The curriculum of the training encompasses topics such as comprehending Sexual GBV, cultural and social norms influencing Sexual GBV, root causes and risk factors, legal framework and policies, survivor-centred approach, and trauma-informed care.
Adeyemi underscored the significance of enhancing the capacity of service providers, including healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, social workers, and community leaders, to effectively support Sexual GBV survivors and promote a coordinated community response.
Justina Allu, the Director of Public Defender at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, spotlighted the ministry’s endeavors in addressing over 50 cases of sexual harassment, molestation, and GBV within the preceding six months. She commended WIMIN for orchestrating the training programme to enhance the capabilities of providers and stakeholders in tackling issues affecting females within the state.
Aisha Ibrahim, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, reiterated the steadfast commitment of the state government to addressing matters such as sexual harassment and gender-based violence. She extended a warm welcome to the members of WIMIN and other stakeholders participating in the training programme.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Patience Sampson expressed gratitude to WIMIN for the opportunity to acquire knowledge on addressing issues of sexual harassment and GBV, vowing to apply the acquired knowledge in practice.
To conclude, it is imperative to acknowledge the dedication of organisations such as WIMIN and the Ford Foundation in their commitment to addressing gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the mining sector. With concerted efforts from the government and stakeholders, there is optimism for substantial progress in eradicating these pressing issues affecting women in Nasarawa.