2021 IWD: We’re endangered species… Gombe women cry out

William Attah, Gombe

An activist and human right campaigner, Dudu Mamman Manuga says women are now endangered species in Gombe following rampant cases of abuses against them, especially rape of minors.

Manuga, Executive Director, Responsive Citizenship and Human Development, stated this during the celebration of the 2021 International Women’s Day organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs Gombe in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations.

According to her, this year’s celebration is coming at a time women in Gombe State are extremely worried over their plight especially that of their female children who are constantly raped with culprits getting away with it.

She appealed to the Gombe State House of Assembly to quickly wade in by passing the Violence Against People Prohibition (VAPP) law and the Child Rights Act.

“The Challenge is for the Legislature to pass the VAPP bill and Child Rights bill as soon as possible in order to curb gender based violence (GBV) in the State”, she said.

Describing how children are abused in the State, Mrs Manuga said, ” when they go to hawk, they are raped, when they return from School, they are raped, they are not safe in private places nor public places.”

“I’m standing to challenge sexual based violence (SBV) in Gombe State, I’m also challenging women in Gombe State to rise up and say no to SBV. Speak out, we should not allow this to happen to our girls, in our streets, schools, working places or any where in Gombe state”, she stressed bitterly.

She said, “I know here in Gombe, fathers are raping daughters in the houses, brothers are raping sisters, uncles are raping little girls.”

Speaking at the occasion, wife of the Gombe State Governor, Mrs. Asama’u Inuwa Yahaya, called on women to equip their daughters for life by educating them in order to meet the current challenges of life.

She said if a girl child was denied the opportunity to go to school, she would never have the chance to unveil her untapped talent and potential.

She said the problems girls were born to solve would remain unsolved if they don’t get educated hence the need for every girl child to be in school for a better future.

“I am challenging my fellow women to say no to forces militating against the Education of the Girl-child,” she said.

Earlier in her welcome speech, Mrs Naomi JJ Awak, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said the Ministry would do everything humanly possible to ensure the speedy passage of laws that would address gender based violence in the state.