By Bashir Hassan
A non-governmental organization (NGO) Doctors Wives Association Bauchi (DWB) recently convened a panel discussion on preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) within communities, bringing together experts and stakeholders to share insights and strategies.
Speaking shortly before the commencement of the discussions tagged, “Voices Against Violence – Breaking the silence on sexual abuse” , the founder of DWB Aisha Shaibu Salami said that the discussions on charting a course to prevent sexual abuse.
Salami described sexual abuse as not only a personal trauma suffered by survivors, but also a social wound that takes a very long time to heal. She said that engagement with the panelists will provide an avenue on open discussions on sexual abuse and how it can be mitigated within communities.
At the commencement of the activity, the discussants emphasized the need to break the silence surrounding sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), encouraging victims, parents and the community to speak out and report perpetrators to the authorities. They also stressed the importance of collaboration with parents, community leaders, and religious leaders in preventing and responding to SGBV.
The panelists agreed that a collective effort is required to combat SGBV, involving everyone in the fight against the menace. They urged parents to keep a close watch on their children and wards, providing them with guidance and support.
The discussion highlighted the critical role that community leaders, parents, and individuals can play in preventing SGBV and supporting victims. The discussants also agreed that by working together, it is possible to create a safer and more supportive environment for all.
The event, which held at the American Space in Bauchi on Wednesday 25th June, 2025, provided a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and strategies for preventing SGBV, and it is expected that the discussions will inform future initiatives aimed at addressing this critical issue in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.
The panel of discussants were experts in the focused areas of human rights abuse, mental health, community engagement and gender experts and advocates.
There were poetry sessions, where some officials of DWB regaled participants with poems, showcasing the strength of women and, called on them to break any form of abuse by speaking out.