By Habibu Harisu
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, on Monday, commenced special investigation into cases that border on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Sokoto State.
The panel which is led by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, begun the two-day exercise in Sokoto with more than 10 complaints so far submitted to it.
Conducted in collaboration with the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project and aimed at eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Ojukwu urged survivors to open up.
According to him, the panel would entertain testimonies on abuse cases in the last 10 years, identify individuals responsible for violation of human rights especially women and girls, and make appropriate recommendations to competent authorities for remedies.
He added that the investigation would provide opportunity for human rights stakeholders to contribute to the development of appropriate strategies to prevent occurrence and implement policy guidelines for holding perpetrators accountable.
He explained that the investigation was aimed at raising public awareness on the need to speak out and to report cases of SGBV, put an end to impunity and for appropriate redress.
The Chief Judge of Sokoto state, Justice Sa’idu Sifawa, who was represented by Justice Muhammad Muhammad of Sokoto State High Court, commended NHRC for efforts to safeguard peoples’ rights.
According to Sifawa, women needed to be protected in the society as their values and sanctity must be guarded and cherished.
He stressed that citizens should ensure no molestation of women and girls in all forms in the society, and must accord them all the required respect.
The Chief Judge urged the panel to consider all relevant laws available in the state in their investigation.
Malam Ibrahim Tudun-Doki, who spoke on behalf of Civil Society Organisations, described the effort as timely, noting that many cases occur unreported and urged stakeholders to live up to their expectations.
The programme was attended by some survivors and their families, perpetrators, representatives of NAPTIP, security agencies, civil society organisations, journalists and others.
