By Our Correspondent
The wife of Sokoto State Governor, Hajiya Mariya Tambuwal, has restated her commitment to fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within and beyond the state.
Tambuwal gave the assurance after a road walk as part of activities to mark this year’s ’16 Days of Activism Against GBV’ on Tuesday in Sokoto.
She, therefore, solicited for increased stakeholders’ support on the fight against GBV.
The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is an annual international campaign that started on Nov. 25 and runs until Dec. 10 on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Individuals and organisations around the world use the day as an organising strategy to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
It has “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls” as the theme for 2022.
She described GBV as a challenge fhindering mostly women and girls in society.
She urged NGOs and Community Groups to rededicate themselves to ensuring that society is responsive to GBV incidences.
Tambuwal stressed the need for government officials and law enforcement agencies to live up to their
expectations by ensuring maximum implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
She also advocated for the quick passage of the Child Protection Laws in the state.
“Rising cases of GBV in communities deserve the collective responsibility of all residents as the situation affects everybody.
She said that her NGO, the Mariya Tambuwal Development Initiative (MTDI), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has been educating young people on the dangers of GBV.
Responding, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mainasara Ahmad, commended MTDI and UNFPA for efforts toward ending the menace.
Ahmad assured that government would be proactive in reducing GBV cases, support survivors and ensure that perpetrators were punished.
The MTDI Project Coordinator, Hajiya Fatima Khalid, supported by Special Adviser to Gov. Tambuwal on Donor Agencies and Social Interventions, Hajiya Ubaida Bello was also in attendance.
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