The Sokoto State Government has urged residents to band together to combat the spread of gender-based violence.
Hajia A’isha Dantsoho, Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, sought stakeholders’ holistic approach to addressing GBV cases in communities.
Dantsoho made the call during a GBV case management capacity-building training for stakeholders, organised by a nongovernmental organisation, Zaki’s Gem Support Foundation, on Tuesday in the state.
She emphasised the importance of stakeholders supporting GBV survivors at all levels and urged them not to be distracted by the challenges and difficulties they face in their efforts.
“Comprehensive approach will ensure actor to render holistic case management and ensure that survivors obtain relevant services needed in appropriate times.
“Don’t be distracted with GBV prevalence rates, nature of severity of a case and pressure from different angles.
“You should ensure adequate data compilation for adequate planning strategy and collaborate between actors to obtain timely supports,” Dantsoho said.
She further disclosed that the state government ensured proper coordination of all actors contributing to reduce the GBV on a harmonious platforms which would make work easier and seamless in the state.
She said government facilitated the enactment of Child Protection Law, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and other right policies, which were in line with religious and sociocultural norms across the state.
Earlier, in their remarks, the State Chairman of GBV Response Team, Malam Rabi’u Gandi, and Dr Mansur Buhari from Usamu Danfodio University, Sokoto, described the GBV reduction efforts as a salvation of humanity.
The speakers dwelled on prevalence rates, nature of abuse, economic and social impacts as well as media attention and law enforcement agents.
The Facilitator and Coordinator of Zaki’s Gem Support Foundation, Mrs Nafisa Abubakar-Zaki, led participants on experience, sharing discussions and delivered lectures on best ways to handle the GBV cases from point of occurrence, referrals, reporting offenders, prosecution and other ingredients in the GBV management.
She said gone were the days when boys and men were safe from molestation or rape, saying statistics had shown that no gender was safe from violence as of today.
She, however, called in victims of such violence to always raise their voices and seek help, while also calling on residents of the state especially those in rural communities to always expose violators who committed such crimes.