Why rape is on increase in Gombe… CSO’s, SCI Call for stiffer punishment

William Attah, Gombe

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Gombe state have called for stiffer punishment to serve as deterrent to would be perpetrators of rape in Gombe State if the war against the menace must succeed.

The coalition of CSOs who condemned the high rate of rape cases, especially of minors in the State, during a round table meeting organized by ‘media on better life for girls’, supported by Save the Children International (SCI), called for an enabling legal framework for the prevention and administration of justice on gender based violence in the State.

According to the CSOs, “Records available to us show that from March 2020 to date, about 25 cases were officially reported”.

They therefore pointed out that not domesticating the Child Rights Act in the State is one of the reasons the crime goes unabated.

The Coordinator, Hajiya Zariyatu Abubakar, therefore appeal to the Executive Arm of Government in Gombe to hasten the domestication of the Child Rights Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAAP) Act.

She said this will establish a legal framework for the prevention and administration of justice on gender based violence including rape in the State.

She said, ” Although we appreciate the authority’s concern by charging 23 of such cases to Court while two are being investigated, we, the Civil Society Organizations Coalition (CSO) on Ending Child Marriage in Gombe State are calling on the judiciary to hasten the trial of the alleged perpetrators’.

Community Engagement and Advocacy Officer, Save the Children, Mr. Akpan Effiong, said except the Child Rights Act is domesticated in Gombe State, it will be difficult to enforce justice, which is key to child protection.

According to him, “We cannot rest until there are implementations of laws to fight such sexual violence in the society. But if the laws are not there, protecting children becomes difficult”.

Chairman of the media coalition on better life for girls, Hajiya Suuda Mustapha, tasked her colleagues to redouble their efforts in bringing out the ills of the society so that authorities will influence positive change and create a conducive environment, especially for the girl child.