Bauchi Ministry of Justice, ATBU, UNFPA Charge Students to Report GBV

The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice has urged tertiary students to break the tradition of silence and report any instances of gender-based violence (GBV) occurring on their campuses. This call was made by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sabiu Adamu Gumba, at a one-day awareness campaign held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi.

The event was organized in partnership with ATBU’s Faculty of Environmental Technology and with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The campaign's primary goal was to educate the university community about the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and other legal frameworks that protect citizens from violence on campus.

During the event, Gumba emphasized that while the ministry is dedicated to eradicating GBV, it must also respect constitutional rights. He clarified that the ministry will continue to protect the human rights of all individuals involved, including the accused, until a court of competent jurisdiction proves their guilt. According to Gumba, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2022 specifically targets offenses such as intimidation, assault, rape, and cybercrime, which predominantly affect women, children, and vulnerable groups. These offenses carry severe penalties if the perpetrator is found guilty.

Gumba strongly discouraged students from engaging in transactions of sex for grades, personal favors, or under threat. He warned that remaining silent about such incidents only encourages the perpetrators. "Your silence does not protect the offender; it encourages them. Speak out and expose them to protect yourselves and other innocent people," he urged.

The Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Technology, Prof. Adamu Babayo, welcomed the initiative, acknowledging that discussions around GBV have unveiled deep-rooted problems concerning harmful behaviors and gender norms within the institution. "We realized that we have been propagating issues among ourselves as staff and students without fully understanding the legal consequences of our actions," Babayo stated.

To ensure the message reaches the widest audience, the faculty selected two student representatives from each department and level, ranging from 100 to 500, along with faculty staff. These selected students are expected to serve as ambassadors, spreading the anti-GBV message to their peers and even their families. Prof. Babayo emphasized that GBV is a issue that affects both genders, stating, "Gender-based violence goes both ways.

Do not assume that because it is labeled ‘gender,’ only females are affected. Male partners can also be victims."

The campaign received support from various civil society organizations. Elizabeth Carr, the Executive Director of Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), warned against suppressing such abuses. With Bulak Afsa, Carr stated that journalists from Bauchi State would employ professional reporting to expose campus GBV, safeguard the dignity of victims, and act as a powerful deterrent against offenders.

The program also garnered strong endorsement from other state ministries, including the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Both ministries praised the timely sensitization drive, recognizing it as a significant step toward eliminating gender-based violations within tertiary institutions.