Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Isah Bajini, has urged more concerted efforts to end all forms of gender-based violence in society, just as he noted political tendencies exacerbate gender-based violence.
“Political tendencies exacerbate GBV because by encouraging area boyism (political thuggery) by our political parties, it encourages raping of women and children, it encourages stealing, robbery and banditry, “he pointed out.
“All these things happening are exacerbated by thuggery, so we have to make our people conscious of that. ”
The Commissioner stated this when he received members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Sokoto Chapter. They were at the ministry as part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
“When you talk about people violating dignity, it is more to do, particularly with women. The worst part was when things were being done, and nobody was making a case for anybody. Now people are sensitised,” he stated.
“So, it is your job; it is our job to rise against it and make sure we arrest the situation no matter how long it has been going on.”
He observed: “It is not only a political or social activity but even a religious one, no religion, no culture that allows for any person’s dignity to be violated. We are all human; we are all equal.”
The Commissioner expressed Governor Aminu Tambuwal-led administration’s commitment to tackling the menace and ensuring the protection of children and women in the state.
He noted the state’s recently signed Child Protection Law and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
Earlier, NAWOJ Sokoto Chairperson Hajiya Rakiya Muhammad urged all hands to be on deck to end gender-based violence.
She commended the state government on the Child Protection Law and the VAPP, stressing the need to ensure the implementation.
The NAWOJ Chair harped on survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors.
