Last year, the United Nations Population Fund successfully partnered with AUN for a two-week course in Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE).
The relationship between the two organizations is growing stronger following the visit of the Humanitarian Coordinator & Head of Office, UNFPA, Maiduguri branch, Macauley S. Christian, and his colleague, Dr. Danladi Idrisa Saleh, to the University on February 27, 2020.
UNFPA is a UN organ formerly called the United Nations Fund for Population Activities. The central idea about UNFPA is to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
The meeting is centered on bringing up a program that delivers hands-on training on GBViE capacity building to members of the affected areas across the northeast generally and Yola in particular.
Disasters and conflicts often expose young girls and women to physical and/or sexual violence. For this reason, GBViE is considered as human rights and life-threatening challenges experienced in many insurgency-wracked communities around the world, said Mr. Christian.
"We have the mandate to build capacity in emergencies, especially for Sexual & Reproductive Health in emergencies (SRHiE) and GBViE."
The humanitarian coordinator mentioned that considering the strategic nature of Yola, the GBViE course is a replica of the existing one in Kenya, Cameroon, and Chad where there is a high rate of insurgency with a very weak response and control measures.
"AUN is a perfect environment for setting up facilities for the practical training aspect of the program. We truly appreciate the partnership between our organization and AUN."
It is worth noting that the program would be coordinated by an international consultant from one of their strategic partner organizations for effective facilitation, he added.
Dr. Danladi acknowledged President Dekle's support and contributions towards the success of the Gender-Based Violence workshop that was hosted for two weeks at the AUN School of Law between November 18 and 30, 2019.
Rounding off the meeting, President Dekle told the UNFPA team that AUN is ever willing to support their programs as the objectives align with the University's mission of serving humanity.
Reported by Rofiat Adekunle