Dutse Monarch Seeks Collective Action Against Violence On Women

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi , has has stressed the need for Islamic scholars and other stakeholders to join hands in tackling the growing menace of violence against women, especially in the northern part of the country.

He 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, Kano (BUK) paid him a courtesy visited his palace Dutse on Thursday.

The visit which is under the Gender- Based Violence Prevention Project in Northern Nigeria, supported by the Ford Foundation, aims to promote Islamic teachings that emphasize the prevention of GBV and the safeguarding of women’s well-being.

The Emir described violence against women as un-Islamic and repugnant, saying Islam has provided adequate provisions for protecting women, children, and the vulnerable.

He commended the dRPC and the Ford Foundation for supporting the initiative, which will go a long way in protecting the rights of women in Northern Nigeria and improving their living conditions.

The monarch called on politicians, Islamic scholars, and university researchers to provide guidance through an Islamic perspective in preventing violence against women.

He assured his commitment to fighting violence against women and urged civil society groups to mobilize religious leaders in preaching against violence on women.

He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to tackle the growing menace, especially among rural dwellers in Jigawa state.

In his remark, Prof. Taufiq Abubakar, Director of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue, BUK, said the Muslim Opinion Leaders prevention against GBV Project has sensitized over 150 Juma’at Mosque Imams, 100 Sharia Court Judges, and 60 female Da’awah 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

Umar Ahmad Umar, a lawyer and a Coordinator of the Muslim Opinion Leaders GBV Prevention Project, disclosed 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.