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The Sokoto State Government in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has inaugurated the reconstituted advocacy Technical Working Group (TWG), on coordinating Gender Based Violence (GBV) activities in the state.
The effort was part measures to reactivate response teams and community members activities to address cases GBV and strengthen partnerships across the state.
A Resource Person, A’isha Abdullahi, led participants to revalidate State GBV Policy document to strengthen community perception and understandings.
Abdullahi emphasised the need for increased community engagement, educational awareness and interpersonal discussions to address the rising prevalence of GBV in society.
She underscored the need for governments at all levels to prioritise the establishment of volunteer response teams to support GBV prevention efforts.
According to her, such measures are essential to address misconceptions, break the culture of silence and strengthen shelters and psychosocial support systems for survivors.
Abdullahi cautioned community members against concealing rape and other serious offences or tampering with evidence before investigations are concluded.
She described such interference as a major obstacle to preserving evidence needed for successful prosecution of perpetrators in court.
She added that citizens have a responsibility to amplify survivors’ voices, challenge harmful narratives and sustain public attention on GBV-related issues.
The resource person noted 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.
She also called for strengthened GBV desks in police stations, schools and health facilities to improve response systems and access to support services.
The Director Women, Ministry for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Hauwa’u Jabo, the committee is expected to provide a clear plan to guide systems and practices, including request that attention be given to identified emerging areas.
Jabo explained that “the purpose is to ensure that men and women in all their diversity are well informed and be fully involved in the processes.
“The committee is therefore expected to work with the stakeholders and serve as the central coordinating and advisory body to the Ministry of Health, Women and Children Affairs on issues of GBV toward implementing activities.
The UNFPA Representative, Mr Benedict Esson, reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to support the GBV activities and others towards promoting healthy livings.
Esson said the effort’s transformative results included ending maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning and Gender-Based Violence and harmful traditional practices, including FGM.
“The UNFPA is committed to support global and national programme to accelerate the GBV activities, abandonment of the harmful traditional practice and thereby advance the rights, health and well-being of women and girls.’’ he added.
The committee draw membership from civil society organisations, government officials from different ministry and agencies as well as law enforcement agencies.
Others are representatives of traditional institutions, donor agencies, NGOs and Community-Based Organisations, journalists and health educators.
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