TheCable

Connected Development (CODE) will partner the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Project Sabi Initiative to address gender-based violence at motor parks and markets.

On Thursday a delegation from CODE, Abdullahi Candido, chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), and a ‘He for She’ advocate decorated by the United Nations visited the union at its headquarters in Abuja to seek the partnership of the NURTW on the project.

Speaking at the meeting, Hamzat Lawal, founder of CODE, said the project in collaboration with OXFAM voices and Boys Quarter Africa, seeks to empower survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

“But particularly, we want to use this opportunity to enhance the work that you’re doing. We believe this project provides a unique opportunity and platform where people will have the opportunity to know more about NURTW but most importantly engage with you as you lead this campaign around sexual and gender-based violence,” he said.

Lawal said gender and sexual-based violence happens mostly at markets and motor parks, adding that “we believe that this stigmatisation against women is something we can work closely with you on”.

He said the goal of CODE is to help set up a gender responsive desk at NURTW motor parks, hold town hall meetings among people who use motor parks, the ticketers, the loaders, and all other stakeholders, and to carry out the town hall meetings in three states: FCT, Enugu, and Lagos.

Responding, Kabiru Ado, the union secretary, assured the organisation of the union’s partnership and suggested that the sensitisation be taken further to six states in the geo-political zones in the country.

“I want to assure you that we’re going to partner with you on behalf of the union. Why don’t we take this thing to geo-political zones, having one in each zone not just Enugu, Lagos and Abuja. We can work with you to arrange for that,” he said.

Also speaking, the AMAC chairman said: “The national secretary will agree with all of us here that we’re not accusing any institution, but crimes and criminality can be found anywhere. But public nuisance and crimes can be as well where they’re not supposed to be found. What is the purpose of having crime in a motor park where people are just assembling to pick a bus and travel,” he said.

“So we think it is better to partner with the management of this institution because as citizens of this country, we must get it right.”

At the end of the meeting, the leadership of NURTW signed CODE’s pledge card as a sign of their commitment in supporting the campaign.