Gender Based Violence Still High In Sokoto, Says FG

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba says violence against women and girls is still prevalent in Sokoto State, with at least 32.8 per cent of married women aged 15-49 years experiencing it.

This he mentioned on Monday when he led a monitoring team of EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III in Sokoto.

Clem added that this is traumatizing as it limits development in different faces for the victims.

"This is either emotional, physical and sexual violence committed by their partners and husbands, which continued to hinder their samooth socioeconomic and development.

“The above development necessitated the Spotlight Initiative, FG and all other development partners to collaborate in curving the menace," he added.

He also told the Sultan that their visit to Sokoto State is to testify to the achievements and challenges of the Spotlight Initiative in the state.

“We are here to testify the achievement so far and the challenges in order to strengthen the achievements and sustainability mechanism.

“The initiative supports eradication of violence against women and children, particularly the most vulnerable population to live a life free of violence and harmful practice,” he said.

Agba said that the Federal Government had placed a high premium on women and children as almost half of the entire population was under the age of 15 years.

“It is worthy to note that entirely women, children and youth are part of the key priority area for Nigeria, as encapsulated in the National Development Plan 2021-2025,” the minister added.

Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III says more need to be done to curb Gender Based Violence in the country.

The Sultan said that violence against women and children is an ugly trend which required the commitment of all in the society for it to be fully addressed.

“Nigeria had initiated laws on the measures to address the menace of violence against women and girl- child in the country, which needs to be properly implemented.

“We need to give more emphasis on our women education to be able to have full family protection.

“Educating a women is like educating the whole society, as such, education is the key to our project of ending all violence against women and children,” he said.

He commended the Federal government and EU -UN Spotlight Initiative, as well as all other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and NGOs for their sustained efforts in addressing GBV.

 

NAN