A recent workshop held in Maiduguri brought together survivors of Boko Haram atrocities, including women and girls who had been radicalized by the group, as well as those who had suffered sexual abuse during the insurgency in Borno State.
Organized by the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, the workshop aimed to address the needs and demands of these survivors.
During the workshop, attendees called upon government agencies, security forces, and NGOs to provide support in various forms, including empowerment programs, protection, healthcare services, livelihood assistance, and integration into their communities.
Many of these women and girls had been forcibly conscripted into the insurgency or abducted by the terrorists but had since regained their freedom.
Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, the Executive Director of the Foundation, emphasized the importance of developing policies to meet the aspirations of these survivors.
She highlighted the role of the security agencies in ensuring the safety and protection of these vulnerable individuals.
The workshop also aimed to gather feedback from stakeholders on the implementation of the demands outlined by the survivors.
Dr. Lawan Balami, a consultant to the project, stressed the need for collaboration between various actors, including security forces, NGOs, and community organizations, to effectively address the challenges faced by the survivors.
Professor Haruna Dlakwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, highlighted some policy gaps in addressing the needs of survivors despite the efforts of the state government.
However, he commended the “Borno Model,” a policy initiative focused on the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the repatriation of Borno indigenes from neighboring countries.
The workshop served as a platform for survivors of Boko Haram atrocities to voice their demands and for stakeholders to collaborate on developing policies to support these vulnerable individuals in Maiduguri and beyond.
