ANGO, OPWIN bemoan SGBV in Gombe, call on Govt to declare state of emergency
…… stakeholders map out strategic moves in communiquè
By Chima Azubuike
Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in collaboration with Organisation of Progressive Women in Nigeria on Tuesday, bemoaning the increasing rate of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, in Gombe State, urging Governor Muhammadu Yahaya to declare state of emergency around it.
Speaking in an interview with correspondents shortly after a one-day roundtable discussion with stakeholders on SGBV and many more vices in Gombe State, the chairman of ANGO Ibrahim Yusuf, lamented the spate of violence in the state, stressing that it far beyond a pandemic.
Our correspondent reports that the incidences include rape, homosexuality, mob action / lynching, especially as no funds are said to be allocated to safe space in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
According to Yusuf, government should be tactful in curbing the challenges of violence, adding that beyond domestication of Child Protection law and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act there should be deliberate efforts.
He lauded the efforts of the state government in ensuring assent to the laws, noting that the laws should be backed with requisite actions such as capacity building, release of funds adding that violators would be deterred.
He said, “If you go to the National dashboard you will see the rate of reported cases in Gombe State is going higher which is not healthy to the entire system. GBV is more than pandemic, we are calling on government to declare state of emergency in this issue.”
Yusuf blamed bureaucratic practices from the security agencies, “including insufficient resources to continue with the matter is not healthy on the entire process. We are not advocating for special funds but the Ministries Departments and Agencies with the mandate to take care of this matter because if you say special funds should be allocated interests will come in and interference but rather enhancing the capacity we have at the MDAs,” he said.
On the satisfaction of ANGO, on government move towards tackling GBV Yusuf added, “We are not satisfied because the MDAs are incapacitated to continue with the processes whenever there is reported case the MDAs don’t have enough resources to attend to it.”
Meanwhile, based on a communiquè issued at the end of the roundtable, stakeholders agreed to pay advocacy visit on the governor to advocate for government actions, urged religious leaders to preach against SGBV, while moving for active Community participation to address the issues of
implementation of the VAPP law.
Stakeholders urged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children to be responsible citizens, urging Ministry of Justice and the judiciary to adjudicate cases of SGBV accordingly, and the need for vigilante groups and hunters to be involved in tackling SGBV issues.
Communiquè
Association of Non-governmental Organisations in Gombe State ANGO with support from organisation of progressive women in Nigeria OPWIN organised a one-day round table discussions with stakeholders on sexual and gender-based violence held at Fadama II conference hall Gombe On 22nd August 2023.
The stakeholders meeting had in attendance Religious Leaders, Media Executives, National Orientation Agency, Non Governmental Organisations, Ministries Departments and Agencies MDAs, Nigeria Bar Association , Persons with Disabilities, State Security Services, Civil Defence, Police.
The meeting agreed for more community involvement and ownership, people come up with solutions to the issues raised, break the culture of silence, Religious Leaders have the highest voice , 95 per cent solution to the problem is government related.
Preamble
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a serious issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide, including Gombe State, Nigeria. It is important to address this issue in a sensitive and proactive manner.
Firstly, it is essential to acknowledge the presence and significance of SGBV in Gombe State. SGBV refers to any act or threat of violence, coercion, or discrimination that is based on an individual’s sex or gender identity, and it can include various forms such as rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation.
To effectively address these issues, it is crucial to initiate comprehensive measures at multiple levels. This includes raising awareness within the community about SGBV, its causes, consequences, and available support systems. Education can play a vital role in changing societal attitudes towards gender and promoting equality and respect.
It is also important to strengthen legal frameworks and law enforcement mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators of SGBV are held accountable for their actions. This involves actively prosecuting cases of SGBV, ensuring the safety and protection of survivors, and providing access to justice for all.
In addition, it is crucial to establish safe spaces and support services for survivors of SGBV. This can include setting up counseling centers, helplines, and shelters where victims can seek refuge, receive medical assistance, and access psychosocial support. These services should be readily available and easily accessible to all individuals affected by SGBV.
Prevention is another critical aspect of addressing SGBV. Engaging with schools, religious institutions, and community leaders to promote gender equality, challenge harmful traditional practices, and encourage respectful relationships is vital. It is also essential to empower women and girls economically, socially, and politically, as this can contribute to reducing their vulnerability to SGBV.
Issues Raised
- Rape on the increase
- Homosexuality
- Mob action / lynching
- Interference of community
- Non implementation of the VAPP Law
- No funds allocated to safe space in the Ministry of Women Affairs
Institutions responsible for action not meeting expectations
- State counsels do not appear for cases if they do they call for adjournment of the case,
- There is absolute need for Behavioral Change
Causes
- Unemployment
- Poverty
- Perpetrators not being punished
- Girls with hearing impairment are being molested in school
- Culture of silence
- Parental upbringing
- Securities do not get enough information
Solutions
- Airtime allocated on jewel FM and Progress Radio and Television to discuss the issues raised
- Religious leaders be involved and engaged in the fight
- Women should dress decently
- People should turn to God, fear him and serve him wholeheartedly
- Perpetrators be punished according to Religious injunctions
- Expose the perpetrators and not conceal (Naming and shaming).
- Religious leaders to continue to use their pulpits and preach against such vices
- Community based-approach ( Strengthen Vigilante )
- Law Institution should live up to expectations of prosecuting perpetrators
- Parents should Instil good morals in their children ( proper parenting)
- Drama presentation highlighting GBV.
- Religious and Traditional leaders meet the governor for a powerful advocacy to inform him on the alarming rate of SGBV
- Strengthen capacity of the judiciary to adjudicate.
- Implementation of VAPP Law.
- Government should support safe space.
MOB Action
Causes
- Systems are very weak
- People are angry, economic hardship ( transfer of aggression)
- Injustice
Recommendations
- Pay Advocacy on the Governor to advocate for government actions
- Religious Leaders to preach against SGBV
- Active Community participation to address the issues
- Implementation of the VAPP Law
- Organisations contribute financially to ANGO on SGBV issues
- Security agencies should live up to expectations
- Parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children to be responsible citizens
- Ministry of Justice and the judiciary to adjudicate cases of SGBV accordingly
- More awesome creation on Dangers on Silence
- Create Budget line for MDAs such Ministries of Women Affairs, Health on SGBV issues
- Community outreaches
- Vigilante groups and hunters be involved in tackling SGBV issues
- A forum to be formed to ensure the implementation of issues raised and meet quarterly.
