Zamfara state reiterates commitment to fight GBV
Zamfara Government has reiterated commitment toward fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the state and even beyond.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Women and Children Affairs, Dr Barira Ibrahim-Bagobiri, made the government’s position known
in Gusau on Friday while inaugurating a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) called — “Network for Marginalised Groups.”
The network is supported by Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), a state-based CSO
in partnership with International Alert, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO). The aim of the network is to promote stability, access to justice, and accountability among people, especially at community level.
Recall that International Alert, an NGO funded by the UK Conflict Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) is implementing a project entitled “Promoting Stability, Access to Justice and Accountability” in Zamfara.
The permanent secretary expressed state government’s readiness to partner stakeholders to end violence against women and children in the state. Ibrahim-Bagobiri, who said “every woman needs access to justice”, urged communities to speak out on issues related to GBV and other challenges affecting women and children.
She solicited the support of security agencies in tracking perpetrators of sexual assault, and commanded VAI and International Alert for their support toward promoting access to justice.
In a remark, the VAI Executive Director, Mr Musa Umar, said the meeting will strengthen the capacity of marginalised groups in decision-making and increase their participation toward developing and implementing strategies to address Sexual Gender-Based Violence.
Umar added that the meeting is to lead advocacies and influence policies that promote the inclusion of women and other marginalised groups in decision making process
“This is to ensure cooperation between citizens and security actors, thereby promoting accountability and to provide platform for learning and experience sharing”, he said.
NAN/S.S
