The Zamfara State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has trained traditional and religious leaders on women’s health and the mitigation of gender-based violence (GBV)

Murtala Yusuf, director of planning, research and statistics at the ministry, said on Friday that the training reflected the government’s commitment to addressing cultural norms that contribute to challenges in women’s health and the rising cases of GBV.

“The cultural norms are a major factor in challenges affecting women’s health and the prevalence of GBV in society,” he said.

The two-day training, titled “Engagement on Negative Gender and Social Norms Affecting Women’s Health,” held in Gusau, featured traditional and religious leaders, along with other stakeholders from across the state.

Mr Yusuf emphasised the key role that traditional and religious leaders play as community gatekeepers in addressing the challenges, especially at the grassroots level.

“This initiative aligns with Gov. Dauda Lawal’s commitment to tackling health issues affecting women, particularly GBV and maternal mortality.

“We appreciate UNFPA’s collaboration and recognise the importance of engaging influential community leaders,” he said.

Bashir Kabir-Danbaba, senior district head of Gusau Emirate, commended the initiative, noting that traditional rulers would cascade the messages from the training down to the grassroots.

Amina Hassan, coordinator of the State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), said traditional and religious leaders play a critical role in reshaping societal attitudes and ensuring justice for victims of GBV.

“We discussed the types and consequences of GBV and the role of traditional institutions in reducing these incidents.

“We also addressed the high maternal mortality rate and explored strategies for societal reform,” she said.

Khadija Kanoma of the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, added that the training was timely and necessary given the rate at which women’s health and safety were compromised.

“Engaging community leaders helps in spreading awareness, improving education, and ultimately reducing maternal mortality,” she stated.

On behalf of the participants, Aisha Ja’o of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) said the training provided valuable insights into improving women’s health and addressing GBV.

“We’ve discussed how women and children can gain better access to quality health and education services,” she added.

(NAN)