Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II Condemns Rising Gender-Based Violence Calls for Urgent Community Action in Kano

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has publicly condemned the rising tide of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kano State, urging urgent community action and stricter punishments for offenders. Speaking at his palace on Monday July 21 2025 during a visit by representatives from the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) and the Bayero University Center for Islamic Civilization and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID) the Emir called for a comprehensive response to combat the escalating cases of domestic violence and rape in the region.

Emir Sanusi emphasized that Islam dignifies and protects women’s rights and strongly repudiated the use of religion to justify abuse. Anyone who beats or injures his wife is not a good person.

This is not merely my view it is the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) he said. He stressed that acts of violence against women are serious assaults rather than any form of corrective discipline.

The monarch warned that traditional titleholders who perpetrate such violence would face consequences, including the stripping of their titles. He highlighted research statistics indicating that 45 percent of cases before Kano’s Sharia courts involve domestic violence and wife beating, underscoring the urgency of addressing the problem.

Beyond calling for stiffer penalties, Emir Sanusi announced plans to review Kano’s family laws to better tackle issues related to divorce, family relationships, and GBV. The initiative aligns with ongoing efforts by religious and community leaders to eradicate harmful practices disguised as discipline or moral correction.

The advocacy visit by dRPC and CICID, supported by the Ford Foundation, is part of a wider campaign mentoring Muslim Opinion Leaders to actively confront GBV in northern Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim states.

Sanusi’s call reflects a growing consensus that the government and traditional institutions must collaborate closely to uphold women’s dignity, ensure justice, and foster peaceful communities.

The Emir’s statement adds significant weight to national and regional campaigns against gender-based violence amid deep cultural challenges pointing toward both legal reforms and community engagement as essential steps forward.