The Niger state Gender Based Violence (GBV) Management Committee has vowed to explore all avenues to eliminate all kinds of violence against women in the state.
This assurance was given by the wife of the Niger state governor and Chairperson of the committee, Dr Amina Abubakar Bello at the End of GBV Summit organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science in collaboration with the first Ladies at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
Dr. Bello in a statement signed by her Press Secretary Hajia Rabi Bello said the Committee has succeeded within the shortest time to have the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law Passed and assented by the state Governor.
The Chairperson disclosed that the committee has reached out to all the eight Emirate councils in the state and engaged relevant stakeholders from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as religious leaders to come together with a view to support and key into the fight against GBV.
She enumerated strategic goals set by the committee to include ensuring there is Law passed against GBV and ensuring its implementation and enforcement.
Other strategies include Advocacy and increased sensitisation in the reduction of stigmatisation of survivors and culture of silence around the menace,coupled with treatment and support for victims and finally, strengthening the process.
The wife of the Governor pointed out that the state has achieved tremendously with an increase in referral centers in six hospitals which are accessable to all survivors in the twenty five local government areas in the state.
Dr. Bello expressed the hope that before the GBV Law is gazetted, a clause that would recognise the committee and its clearly defined responsibilities and funding would be captured in the legislation so as to ensure the sustainability of the program in the state.
She commended the state government,Ford Foundation and Nigeria Academy of Sciences for their support to the state Gender Based Violence Management Committee and then appealed for more women to be allowed to occupy more political offices.
Also speaking the President of Nigerian Academy of science professor Ekanem Braide who was ably represented by professor Tofun from university of Benin, observed that the first ladies of Nigeria have crucial roles to play in ensuring that issues relating to women and gender are included in all spheres of policies in the country.
Professor Ekanem assured that the Academy would continue to partner with the first ladies as they collectively seek to promote the inclusion of women participation in all aspects of the country’s development.
She also commended the efforts of the first ladies in the increased awareness of GBV in their State.
