Dutse, Jigawa State – The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hamim Nuhu, has issued a powerful call for a concerted, multi-stakeholder effort to combat the escalating issue of violence against women in Northern Nigeria. The monarch unequivocally declared such violence as “un-Islamic and repugnant,” emphasizing that the Islamic faith prioritizes the protection and dignity of women.
Emir Hamim made this crucial appeal during a courtesy visit to his Palace by representatives of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) and Bayero University’s Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue. These organizations are spearheading a significant project aimed at preventing gender-based violence (GBV) in the region, with vital support from the Ford Foundation.
“Islam prioritises the protection of women, children, and the vulnerable, and that women’s rights are highly valued in the religion,” Emir Hamim stated, reinforcing the religious imperative to safeguard women. He praised the dRPC and the Ford Foundation for their support, noting that their initiative would “significantly contribute to protecting women’s rights and improving their living conditions in Northern Nigeria.”
The Emir further urged politicians, Islamic scholars, and university researchers to dedicate more attention to providing guidance from an Islamic perspective in preventing what he described as a “growing menace” of violence against women. He highlighted the particular challenge posed by the issue among rural dwellers in Jigawa State, stressing that it “calls for concerted efforts.”
Assuring his steadfast commitment to fighting violence against women, Emir Hamim also called upon civil society groups to intensify their efforts in mobilising religious leaders to preach against violence directed at women.
Earlier, Professor Taufiq Abubakar, Director of the Centre of Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue at Bayero University, shed light on the “Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) prevention against gender-based violence project.” He described it as a crucial intervention designed to address the rising rates of violence against women.
Professor Abubakar detailed significant strides made by the MOLs, including sensitising over 150 Juma’at mosque Imams, 100 Sharia Court Judges, and 60 female Da’awah leaders. He underscored key lessons learned from their engagement, particularly that “Islam strictly prohibits all forms of violence and harm while promoting the protection and dignity of women.” He asserted that “various Islamic teachings emphasise the prevention of GBV and the safeguarding of women’s well-being.”
He further elaborated on Islamic principles concerning marital relations and family care, stating that “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.”
The Emir’s strong condemnation, coupled with the ongoing efforts of the dRPC, Bayero University, and their partners, marks a crucial step in fostering a unified front against gender-based violence, rooted in both societal and religious values, to create a safer environment for women in Northern Nigeria.
