The Zaria Branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) says it will embark on house-to-house campaign against rising cases of rape, gender and domestic violence in Zaria.
Dr Lateefat Bello, Chairperson of the Association, said this at a visit to Zazzau Emirate Council, as part of the activities to commemorate FIDA Week in Zaria on Friday.
Bello who lamented the high incidence of rape, gender base violence and abuses in the area, said the association had offered over 50 free legal services to victims of abuses from January to date.
According to her, most victims of rape do not come to speak about it and most of the cases go unreported, as such, FIDA is not aware of their problems.
“Rape and defilement of children is very endemic in Zaria, it is the plan of FIDA to embark on house-to-house campaign against rising cases of rape in the area.
“We want to let people know that rape victims can claim their rights.
“The programme is aimed at enlightening the society on the existence of FIDA in Zaria and its commitment to provide free legal services to the victims of rape and gender base violence,” she said.
The chairperson said the association was in the palace to seek royal blessing and on a sensitisation programme on the need to address the challenges of gender and domestic violence.
She said that from the records of cases handled by the arbitration committee of the association, most of the domestic and gender based violence cases were hinged on economic challenges.
Bello said a significant number of women within the emirate were not working, adding that, women should be allowed to work within the confines of the matrimonial houses.
The chairperson said that empowering women would go a long way to address the challenge of GBV, stressing that the major focus of the association was centred on giving succor to women.
She also appealed to the council for mobility to enable the association to expand its services to other local government areas of the emirate.
Earlier, Alhaji Yusuf Hayatudeen, Secretary, Zazzau Emirate Council, receiving the group on behalf of the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Bamalli, pledged to work with the association in its effort to enhance women’s rights.
He pledged to forward their request for support to the Emir of Zazzau.