Nasarawa Govt. vows to deal with perpetrators of GBV

Nasarawa Govt. vows to deal with perpetrators of GBV

The Nasarawa State Government has vowed to deal decisively with perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

Mrs Hauwa Jugbo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services,  gave the warning on Monday in Lafia at a press conference to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day.

Jugbo called on victims of GBV and their family members to speak out to enable appropriate authorities to take action against offenders, irrespective of their status or relationship with the victims.

She said exposing perpetrators would help ensure justice for victims and serve as a deterrent to others.

The commissioner commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his commitment to the empowerment and welfare of women in the state, particularly his efforts in ensuring that victims of GBV received support while offenders were brought to justice.

She described GBV as a serious offence with far-reaching consequences on victims and society, stressing that the government would not tolerate it in any form.

Jugbo said that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

She noted that the government’s commitment to advancing the cause of women was evident in the deliberate policies and programmes being implemented under the leadership of the governor.

According to her, the administration remains committed to promoting the welfare, protection and economic empowerment of women across the state.

“Empowering women is not only a matter of justice but a strategic pathway to sustainable development,” she said.

Jugbo acknowledged the resilience and contributions of women in various sectors, including agriculture, commerce, education, healthcare, public service and entrepreneurship.

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“Women remain key drivers of social and economic development in our communities and their contributions are invaluable to the stability of families and the progress of our state,” she said.

She, however, noted that despite these contributions, many women still face challenges such as limited economic opportunities, restricted access to finance and socio-cultural barriers that hinder their full participation in governance.

Jugbo appealed to stakeholders to work collectively to address the challenges and assured that the government would continue to implement measures that would enable women to realise their full potential.

She said the ministry had intensified efforts to protect women and girls through awareness campaigns, policy advocacy and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to strengthen support systems for survivors.

The commissioner added that the theme for the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration, “Give to Gain,” underscored the importance of investing in women and girls.

“When societies invest in women and girls, the benefits extend to families, communities and the entire nation,” she said.