Efforts to curb Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Gombe State have gained fresh momentum as key stakeholders engaged magistrates in a targeted dialogue aimed at strengthening prosecution and ensuring stiffer penalties for offenders.
The engagement, convened on Thursday by Wildan Care Foundation in collaboration with the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), was designed to address gaps in the application of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, particularly at the judicial level.
Speaking at the session, Executive Director of Wildan Care Foundation, Zariyatu Hashidu, said the move was driven by the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence across the state.
According to her, earlier consultations held with the Nigeria Police Force and relevant departments revealed procedural and legal challenges limiting the effective prosecution of SGBV cases.
“We saw the need to meet with magistrates to discuss the obstacles they are facing and jointly explore solutions that will ensure prosecutions are more effective and firmer enough to deter perpetrators,” Hashidu said.
She noted that weak enforcement and light sentencing in some cases have failed to serve as a deterrent, stressing the need for proper interpretation and application of the VAPP Law.
“If the law is applied correctly, it will discourage offenders and send a strong message that SGBV will not be tolerated,” she added.
Also speaking, Executive Director of AC4D, Comrade Ibrahim Yusuf, raised concern over what he described as alarming SGBV statistics in the state.
He disclosed that 35 per cent of women in Gombe State experienced physical or sexual violence within the last 12 months, while 59.3 per cent have suffered physical violence since the age of 15, placing the state among those with the highest prevalence rates nationwide.
Yusuf commended the Gombe State Government and development partners, including UNICEF, for establishing a Referral and Assistance Centre (RAC), describing it as a critical intervention for survivor protection.
“Providing survivors with safe spaces reduces the risk of repeated abuse and supports the healing process,” he said.
However, he stressed that survivor-centred support must go hand in hand with accountability for offenders.
“While psychosocial support for survivors is critical, bringing offenders to book remains the most important aspect of the response,” Yusuf stated.
He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society, the judiciary, and development partners, urging the state government to increase funding and institutional support for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre to improve survivor care and ensure justice is served.
