By George Coben, Bauchi
The First Lady of Bauchi State and Chairperson, Bauchi State Action Committee on Gender-Based Violence, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed has called for supportive involvement of families, traditional rulers, and the media, among other stakeholders, towards bringing an end to the menace being posed by gender-based violence.
Speaking in a media chat on the issue at the government house, the first lady stated that the committee was set up to promote justice and support survivors, and commended the press, traditional rulers, former commissioners, advisers and security agencies, for their support to the committee while appreciating the media’s role in advocacy and public enlightenment.
“This interaction will help enlighten the public on challenges in seeking justice for victims, particularly delays caused by constitutional and procedural issues,” she stressed.
The Chairperson said that the committee plans to launch outreach programs and awareness campaigns in the coming months to sensitize citizens and prevent GBV cases from escalating.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed on gender-based violence, Hajiya Sha’awanatu Yusuf, said that the committee has extended sensitization to all 20 LGAs and restructured into 4 sub-committees to speed up its response, adding that the committee which was inaugurated in April 2020, focuses mainly on rape and related offenses.
“The membership of the committee includes representatives from the ministries of justice, women affairs, the police, national human rights commission, NHRC, traditional and religious leaders and civil society groups,” she explained.
According to the SA, the 4 sub-committees and their roles are to ensure prevention by sensitizing communities on GBV and share contact numbers for reporting cases, protection by reaching out to survivors after a case is confirmed to provide assistance, prosecution by reviewing reported cases with the police, lawyers and medical personnel, and pursue action where evidence exists, as well as collaboration and partnership by working with NGOs to mobilize support.
While further saying that the committee was established as part of the state government’s response to rising concerns over sexual and gender-based violence, she stated that it has made a lot of achievements since inception, and complainants submit written reports, after which all parties were invited to a hearing for fair resolution.
