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 on Ending Violence Against Women, Children and Girls, added that, those defiling minors have mental problems.

Continuing, Prince Agba advised that those perpetrating gender-based violence such as rape should not be shielded from the people but should be named publicly to shame them while protecting the dignity of those violated.

While stressing that empowering women is crucial to the achievement of the growth and development goals of the National Development Plan (2021-2025), Nigeria agenda 2050 and AU Agenda 2063, Agba said the federal government is seriously committed to ending GBV hence the support of additional two forensic labs (worth 500billion naira), alongside that of Adamawa state.

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 GBV hence issuing circular to MDAs on providing budget lines for GBV issues in the 2023 fiscal year budget.

In their 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 him, is achievable through strengthening 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 to case management since 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 in the fight against GBV while other states follow.

Talking on how Spotlight Initiative is helping in sustaining the dignity of women and girls, Alba stressed that there is need to sustain investment in the noble cause.

He, therefore, noted 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,” he affirmed.

The Sokoto State high level Spotlight Initiative quarterly coordination meeting had in attendance, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar 111, Sokoto state commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Hassan Maccido, that of Women and Children Affairs, July Abdulkahi Sifawa amongst others.