The Gombe State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to zero tolerance for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the state.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting organized by the office of the First Lady, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, in Gombe. The event brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives, and government officials to strengthen collaborative efforts against GBV.
Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya said the strong political will of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the state legislature had positioned Gombe for strategic collaboration with donor agencies to eliminate GBV. She highlighted the state’s Child Protection Law and the Violence Against Persons (VAPP) Law, signed in 2022, as key legislative tools in the fight against the menace.
“Out of concern for the protection of children, women and the vulnerable, Gombe was selected among six pilot states in Nigeria for national and international GBV programs,” she said.
The First Lady called on traditional and religious leaders to ensure perpetrators are exposed and punished, and urged parents, guardians and community members to report GBV cases to the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare. She also commended 11 GBV survivors who shared their experiences during the meeting, encouraging others to speak out.
Representatives of the Senior District Head of Gombe, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) pledged full support for the campaign. They signed a binding document affirming their commitment to educate communities on the cultural and religious prohibition of GBV, emphasizing that practices such as rape, adultery, early marriage, and discrimination against girls are unacceptable.
The Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Honourable Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo, represented by the Majority Leader Yerima Ladan Gaule, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Gabriel Galadima, reiterated the legislature’s commitment to enacting policies that protect women and children.
Speaking on behalf of the wives of the 11 local government chairmen, Hajiya Bilkisu Ibrahim Salisu, wife of the Balanga local government chairman, pledged to advance the campaign at the grassroots level.
Resource persons at the event highlighted the socio-cultural dimensions of GBV and emphasized the need for equal treatment of boys and girls, access to education, and economic empowerment to reduce vulnerability. Hon. Ramlat Kasim Ahmad, Speaker of the Gombe State Children Parliament, commended the government for passing laws that safeguard the rights and welfare of children.
The town hall underscored Gombe State’s determination to eradicate gender-based violence and strengthen protection mechanisms for women and children.
