Name Perpetrators of GBV To Shame Them—-Minister
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has decried the increase in cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria lately.
Clem Agba who expressed his concern at the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative High Level Monitoring/ Quarterly Coordination Meeting in Sokoto in Ending Violence Against Women, Children and Girls, added that, those
defiling minors have mental problems.
Continuing, Prince Clem further advised that those perpetrating gender based violence such as rape amongst others should not be incarcerated from people.
The minister also admonished all stakeholders involved in the struggle towards ending GBV to concentrate on public naming of perpetrators to shame them and protect the dignity of those violated.
While stressing that empowering women is crucial to the achievement of growth and development goals of the National Development Plan (2021-2025), Nigeria agenda 2050 and AU Agenda 2063, Prince Clem said the federal government is equally committed to ending GBV hence the support of additional 2 forensic labs (500billion naira), alongside that of Adamawa state.
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Mr Agba in his appreciation of the contributions of partners like the UN, EU and others, assured that both the federal government, federal ministry of Women Affairs as well as the Sokoto State government remained committed to ending the monster hence issuing circular to MDAs on providing budget line for GBV issues in the 2023 fiscal year budget.
In there separate comments, the UN Resident Coordinator, Matthias Schmale said he was particularly happy that Sokoto state has passed the Child Rights Law, and Violence Against Persons Prohibition.
Mathias however appealed to stakeholders to devote more efforts towards prevention than rendering services.
This according to Mathias is achievable through strengthened justice response as a strong deterrent and education of the girl child.
While appraising the efforts of all GBV actors and the Sokoto State government, Mathias called for dedication on case management hence it is essential for identification, access to comprehensive legal and health services as well as empowerment and follow up for survivors.
On his part, the European Union (EU) Head of Governance, Peace and Migration, Ruben Alba Aguilera said in northern Nigeria, Sokoto state is taking the lead on the fight against GBV while other states follows.
Talking on how Spotlight Initiative is helping in sustaining the dignity of women ad girls, Reuben Alba said however that there is the need to sustain investment in that noble cause.
He therefore divulged that, the European Union will mobilize additional funds to continue to support a new phase of the EU Spotlight Initiative come 2023.
“‘This will include a new intervention to strengthen access to basic quality education in rural areas and Youth Empowerment in Northern Nigeria”‘,Reuben Alba affirmed.
The Sokoto State high level Spotlight Initiative quarterly coordination meeting had in attendance, the Minister
of Women Affairs, Same Pauline Fallen, representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar 111, Sokoto stare commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Hassan Maccido, that of Women and Children Affairs, July Abdulkahi Sifawa amongst others.
