STEAMinist Hackathon Empowers Bauchi Youths with Innovative Tools to Tackle Gender-Based Violence

By Muhammad Sani Muazu

Participants drawn from across Bauchi State have gathered for a three-day STEAMinist Against Gender-Based Violence Hackathon, aimed at developing simple, creative and sustainable solutions to curb gender-based violence through science, technology and the arts.

The Hackathon was organised by the Girl Child Values Support Initiative (GCVSI) and sponsored by the French Embassy Fund, as part of efforts to consolidate the gains of the STEAMinist Against GBV Project, which focuses on empowering women and girls with practical and digital skills for advocacy, innovation and inclusive livelihoods.

Speaking on the objectives of the programme, the Senior Programme Officer of GCVSI in Bauchi State, Oluwatosin Zuriel, said the Hackathon was designed to encourage participants to develop basic but impactful solutions to different forms of gender-based violence.

“These are simple, basic solutions that we want them to do. We gave them different thematic areas and different problems in gender-based violence, and they are meant to create across the board,” Zuriel said.

He explained that GCVSI’s approach to addressing gender-based violence is through STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, noting that participants have been trained in nine different skill tracks.

“Our method of tackling gender-based violence is using STEAM. We have trained participants in electronics and soldering, data storytelling and podcasting, painting, photography, videography, web design, application development, 3D modelling and several other skills,” he said.

Zuriel added that the skills acquired can be applied directly to combating gender-based violence, citing examples such as the development of panic buttons and alert systems by trainees in electronics and 3D modelling, as well as the creation of infographics, awareness posters and emotionally engaging artworks by those trained in graphic design and painting.

“For the next three days, we want to ensure that beautiful outcomes and sustainable solutions come out of this Hackathon,” he said, disclosing that over two hundred and fifty participants have been trained across two cohorts of the project.

Some participants also expressed confidence that the skills they acquired would enable them to amplify the voices of survivors and raise awareness on gender-based violence.

One of the participants, Shakirat Adedeji, who learned photography and videography, said she plans to use visuals and short video clips to show that gender-based violence can be addressed through creative storytelling.

“I will use photography and videography to tell people around the world that gender-based violence has a solution, by displaying visuals and short video clips,” she said.

Another participant, Faith Ayuba Shayibu, who was trained in digital storytelling and podcasting, said the skill has empowered her to speak for victims who are often afraid to share their experiences.

“Most victims of gender-based violence in our communities are not outspoken. They don’t tell their stories as they are, but learning this skill will help me tell their stories truthfully and help them fight for their rights,” she said.

For Maryam Dalhatu Usman, painting emerged as a powerful advocacy tool. She explained that paintings can visually capture real-life experiences, communicate strong messages and emotionally connect with audiences.

“One can use painting to tell a story or show events that happen. When people see it, they can understand the message and it can also be used to create awareness and help prevent gender-based violence,” she said.

Participants at the Hackathon expressed optimism that the solutions developed during the programme would contribute to long-term efforts to reduce gender-based violence and promote social inclusion in Bauchi State.