The wife of the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mrs Deborah Jatau, has urged survivors of gender-based violence to speak out, calling for the prosecution of perpetrators across the state’s local government areas.
Jatau made the appeal during separate remarks in Balanga and Yamaltu-Deba, where Child Protection Implementation Committees were inaugurated as part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Our correspondent reports that similar committees are expected to be inaugurated in other nine other LGAs.
She said, “We must all join hands to combat gender-based violence in our local government areas. Survivors must speak out, and perpetrators must face the full weight of the law.”
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Iganus, while presenting committee members with their letters of engagement, urged them to intensify community sensitisation on child protection.
According to her, “We are commemorating the 16 Days of Activism, and we are here to inaugurate the Child Protection Implementation Committee. The Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs appreciates the efforts of Balanga Local Government. Committee members have a lot of responsibility in the fight against gender-based violence.”
Copies of the Child Protection Law were also presented to traditional rulers, including the Bala Waja and the Emir of Deba, QS Ahmed Usman, with a charge to take decisive action against perpetrators of gender-based violence in their domains.
The Bala Waja, Alhaji Muhammadu Danjuma, and the Emir of Deba, Alhaji Ahmed Usman, commended the delegation for the initiative and pledged the continued support of traditional institutions in the fight against GBV.
In their separate remarks, the wives of the Balanga and Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Chairmen, Hajiya Balkisu Baraya and Hajiya Hajara Abubakar Difa, described the campaign as timely and assured their full support toward ending the menace.
