The Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), have charged response teams on addressing rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, gave the charge during a GBV response teams review meeting on Saturday in Sokoto.
The meeting was under a project, tagged “Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescence Health (SARAH) in Nigeria” funded by the European Union (EU).
It was a multi-sectoral programme focuses on reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health, along with issues around adolescent health
and wellness in the three Northern states of Adamawa, Kwara and Sokoto
Alhaji emphasised the need for increased community engagement, awareness and community engagement toward addressing the rising prevalence of GBV in society.
The Director, Women in the ministry, Hajia Hauwa’u Umar-Jabo, underscored the need for non-governmental organisations and community based groups at all levels to prioritise the establishment of volunteer response teams to support GBV prevention efforts.
Umar-Jabo said such measures were essential to addressing misconceptions, break the culture of silence and strengthen shelters and psychosocial support systems for survivors.
The director cautioned community members against concealing rape and other serious offences or tampering with evidence before investigations are concluded.
Umar-Jabo described such interference as a major obstacle to preserving evidence needed for successful prosecution of perpetrators in court.
She added that citizens had a responsibility to amplify survivors’ voices, challenge harmful narratives and sustain public attention on GBV-related issues.
The District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, said that insecurity, economic hardship, harmful cultural practices and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to expose women and girls to various forms of abuse in the region.
Umar-Jabbi also called on stakeholders to strengthen GBV desks in police stations, schools and health facilities to improve response systems and access to support services.
He called on groups to strengthen policy coherence and improve accountability frameworks through effective policies at federal and state levels.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants included different representatives from Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), NGOs, CBOs and government officials while it featured presentation was made on groups performances.
The participants pledged increased commitment to ending GBV in the society and upholding people’s rights.
