The Open Knowledge Development Initiative, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering positive societal change, Friday convened a pivotal session to enrich its draft Gender-Based Violence Prevention Framework.
The event, held as part of the ongoing AmplifyHer for safe schools campaign in Gombe State, which was organised with support from PLAN International Nigeria brought together a diverse group of specialists to address the pressing issue of GBV in schools and communities.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that OKDI’s AmplifyHer for safe schools campaign and the development of the GBV Prevention Framework reflect the organisation’s unwavering commitment to creating safer environments for women and girls in Nigeria.
“We are committed to creating safer environments for women and girls in Nigeria,” said Adamu Usman Garko, founder of OKDI. “The development of our GBV Prevention Framework is a critical step towards achieving this goal.”
He disclosed that organisation continues to push for systemic change, its efforts serve as a beacon of hope for communities grappling with the scourge of gender-based violence.
During the session, participants brainstormed key issues related to GBV, including root causes, challenges, and potential solutions. Their contributions will serve as a foundation for the final draft of the GBV Prevention Framework and the establishment of a Centralised Gender-Based Violence Reporting System.
OKDI’s efforts to combat GBV in Gombe State are timely and urgent. A recent school visit by the organisation revealed a shocking discrepancy between reported cases of GBV and the actual number of incidents. “Within just one month, we recorded and addressed five GBV cases in schools, whereas the Gombe State government reported fewer than 400 cases over four years,” said Garko. “This underscores the need for improved data collection and reporting mechanisms to address GBV effectively.”
