From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Emir of Dutse, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi , has called on political, Islamic scholars and other stakeholders to come together in tackling the growing menace of violence against women in northern Nigeria.
Sanusi made the call when a delegation from the Development Research and Projects Centre( DRPC), and the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue, Bayero University, under the Gender Based Violence prevention project in Northern Nigeria, a project supported by the Ford Foundation, paid him a courtesy visit in his Palace in Dutse on Thursday.
The Emir, who described violence against women as unislamic and repugnant, said Islam has provided adequate provision in protecting women, children, and vulnerable, adding that the right of women is sacrosanct in Islam
“I commend the DRPC and the Ford Foundation for supporting the noble initiative that will go a long way in protecting the rights of women in Northern Nigeria and improving their living conditions”, he said.
Emir then called on politicians, Islamic scholars, and university researchers to pay more attention in providing guidance through Islamic perspective in preventing the growing menace of violence against women.
“ Violence against women is a challenge that is growing especially among rural dwellers in Jigawa state, and this called for concerted efforts”, he added
While assuring his commitment to fighting violence against women, he urged civil society groups to up their ante in mobilising religiuos leaders in preaching against violence on women.
Earlier, the Director, Centre of Islamic civilisation and interfaith dialogue, Bayero University, Professor Taufiq Abubakar, described the Muslim Opinion Leaders prevention against gender based violence project as an intervention initiated to address the increasing rate of violence against women.
He noted that the MOLs have sensitised over 150 Jumaat mosque Imams, 100 Sharia Court Judges, 60 female daawah leaders.
According to him, some of the key lessons learnt include Islam strictly prohibiting all forms of violence and harm while promoting the protection and dignity of women.
Various Islamic teachings emphasize the prevention of GBV and the safeguarding of women’s well-being.
In marriage, Islam makes it obligatory for husbands to care for and protect their wives. After childbirth, a mother and child must receive increased care and support, with the father being responsible for the child’s well-being.” He added
Also, in his speech at the occasion, the Coordinator of the Muslim Opinion Leaders GBV prevention projection, Barrister Umar Ahmad Umar, disclosed that Islam mandates the protection and care of GBV survivors as contained in Quranic and prophetic hadith that enjoined men to protect the dignity of women.
Umar added that the project would soon be launched in Jigawa and Bauchi states to support continuous efforts to rid the nation of cases of violence against women.
