Borno State, October 31, 2024

In a significant move to address rising concerns around gender and disability-based violence (GDBV), representatives from the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) paid an advocacy visit to the Borno State Police Command. During the visit, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bello warmly received the IFA delegation, engaging in a constructive dialogue aimed at strengthening collaboration between the police and local organizations dedicated to protecting vulnerable groups.

The advocacy visit is part of the IFA’s Amplifying Voices Project, which seeks to empower young advocates both with and without disabilities to lead impactful change in their communities. This project employs a multisectoral approach, including the establishment of an interagency taskforce against violence on women and girls with disabilities, to provide targeted support, response, and interventions for GDBV incidents.

In the Advocacy Brief on Gender and Disability-Based Violence, presented to the Deputy Commissioner, IFA highlighted pressing issues affecting persons with disabilities (PWDs), particularly women and girls, who face systemic challenges in accessing protection and justice. Among the critical gaps addressed were the lack of disability-disaggregated data, limited capacity and resources within police units, and the absence of dedicated policies and specialized units to support GDBV cases.

The IFA’s brief outlined challenges faced by PWDs due to these gaps, noting how a lack of data and disability-focused policies limits the efficacy of existing GBV services. Many police stations, the brief noted, lack designated resources, including trained personnel, accessible facilities, and support mechanisms tailored for individuals with disabilities, resulting in barriers to justice for survivors of GDBV.

The Inclusive Friends Association provided the police command with several strategic recommendations to enhance their response to GDBV which include:

• Establishing standardized processes to collect and report data on GDBV cases, disaggregated by disability status, to ensure accurate planning and resource allocation.
• Setting up dedicated desks for handling GDBV cases in police stations across the state.
• Providing police officers with training on trauma-informed responses, disability awareness, and sensitivity, with resources such as sign language interpreters and Braille materials.
• Ensuring a heightened police presence in high-risk areas, including internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
• Partnering with disability-focused organizations to offer holistic support for survivors, including making police stations more accessible to PWDs.
• Developing a comprehensive GDBV policy and establishing a specialized unit within the Borno State Police Command to address GDBV cases effectively.

DCP Bello expressed his appreciation for the insights shared by IFA, recognizing the urgent need for an inclusive approach to policing that better serves all members of the community. He assured the IFA delegation of the police command’s commitment to implement the recommended changes, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in building a safer, more inclusive society.

As part of the visit, the IFA also submitted a proposed framework for disability-disaggregated data collection, along with a draft GDBV reporting register, which the Deputy Commissioner welcomed as valuable tools for ongoing and future interventions.

The advocacy visit marks a promising step toward fostering stronger ties between law enforcement and organizations focused on disability rights. With the police command’s commitment, Borno State is moving closer to an inclusive framework where every resident, regardless of gender or disability, can access protection and justice.