Cleen foundation lead charge to demystify GBV, empower PCRC for safer communities

By Hussaina Yakubu

November. 24, 2025

The Cleen Foundation has brought together leaders of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) from across 19 Northern state in Nigeria for an intensive capacity building workshop aimed at strengthening community police collaboration and deepening strategies for preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The two day programme, themed “Demystifying GBV Myths and Stereotypes for PCRC Members, Strengthening Community Police Collaboration for a Safer Society,” focused on equipping participants with practical tools, knowledge, and preventive mechanisms needed to curb the rising cases of GBV across communities.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Salaudeen Hashim, Programme Director, Cleen Foundation, said the training was designed to empower PCRC leaders with the capacity to play a more strategic role in preventing GBV and improving police–community trust.

According to him, the PCRC remains “the bridge between the community and the Nigerian Police Force,” serving as the eyes, ears, and voices of the people.

He noted that the growing economic pressures in households have exacerbated GBV cases, with violations occurring both within communities and occasionally in the course of law-enforcement activities.

“We are here to give them the capacity, equipment and the right tools to join in preventing GBV in various environments,” Hashim said.

“The PCRC is not just a committee but partners in building a safe society. We are providing them with knowledge support, toolkits, and a preventive framework that strengthens reporting, handling, referral pathways, and prosecution processes.”

He also disclosed that Cleen Foundation plans to support the PCRC in developing a National Action Plan on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and provide forensic test kits to aid evidence preservation for prosecution.

“Our priority is prevention. If preventive infrastructure is strengthened, we will see fewer cases. And where violations occur, there must be adequate prosecution to show that GBV is a criminal offence, not a civil matter,” he added.

He said , total of 30 participants drawn from various states in Northern Nigeria attended the training, following a similar session earlier held for PCRC members from Southern Nigeria in Lagos.

Also speaking, Alhaji Magaji Olaniyi Ibrahim, National Chairman, PCRC, described the programme as a “train the trainer” initiative that will cascade across the country through PCRC state and local chapters.

“Whatever we learn here will be taken back to our national meeting and to our communities. We did the same after the Lagos training, and it has already started yielding results,” he said.

Ibrahim noted that one of the most significant challenges the PCRC faces is funding for advocacy and outreach. He commended Cleen Foundation for stepping in to provide training support, especially in an era where PCRC activities are largely self-funded.

He gave examples of successful interventions inspired by previous Cleen Foundation trainings, including a recent case in Delta State where a teacher who is a PCRC member—reported a man who abused his three biological children.

“That is because of the little training we passed on to society. Teachers are closest to the children, and since children especially girls are the most vulnerable, we have been training teachers, parents, and guardians,” Ibrahim said.

He added that the committee has intensified outreach to public and private schools nationwide and plans to extend community sensitisation to markets and other public spaces.

“We are going to redouble our efforts. After this training, we will move to the markets and engage men and women. This will form part of my directive at our next national meeting,” he said.

According to him, the workshop is expected to strengthen preventive systems, improve monitoring of law enforcement conduct, enhance community reporting mechanisms, and deepen collaboration between citizens and the Nigeria Police Force in addressing GBV. (NAN)