Gombe stakeholders advocate collective responsibility in tackling sexual, gender-based violence, drug abuse

Stakeholders in Gombe State concerned about the escalating crisis of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as well as drug abuse have called for collective responsibility in addressing the menace.

The stakeholders made the call in Gombe on Thursday during a One-day roundtable themed: “Collaborative Solutions to Drug Abuse and Gender-Based Violence in Gombe State.”

The event was organised by Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D) in collaboration with Initiative for Muslim Women of Nigeria (IMWON), Gombe State chapter and Crystal Justice Initiative for Legal Advancement (CJILA).

The meeting which had over 70 participants drawn from security agencies, state government’s ministries, departments and agencies, religious and traditional institutions, the civil society and the media brainstormed ways of tackling the menace.

The Chief Judge of Gombe State, Hon Justice Halima Mohammed who chaired the engagement called for synergy towards addressing the challenge.
Mohammed said the fight against SGBV and drug abuse could not be won if all stakeholders did not work together as a team.

According to her, the fight if handled individually will yield no progress as everyone is important and has roles to play towards ending the menace in the state for the good of children, women and youths.

She stated that the state would witness more progress when cases of SGBV and drug abuse were drastically reduced to the barest minimum or ended.

“In my 40 years in the judiciary, I have seen a lot and I can tell you that it has become a cause for concern.

“The future of our women, children and youths lies in the solutions we are able to bring and we must ensure that we play our role and take responsibility towards ensuring that it is no longer business as usual.

“We must not leave here without resolving how we can address this challenge because the negative impact on the society will be great if we don’t do something.

“Our religious and traditional institutions must take the matter to the pulpit and talk about these issues because we need everyone to speak up for the future of our children,” she said.

The chief judge said the judiciary under her watch was making efforts to ensure that the fight against SGBV and drug abuse was given the attention it deserved.

She called on parents, community and religious leaders not to be silent on cases involving SGBV and drug abuse.

She decried the increasing cases of drug abuse amongst women and housewives, adding that such was particularly worrisome in view of the impact such would have on their children too.
She said that with such trend, the menace must be fought collectively and with all sincerity.

Mohammed also called on parents to support the education of their children as well as build confidence in their children as she recounted some of the sacrifices of her mother that ensured her education at the age of 11.

For her part, the state’s Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Asmau’u Iganus restated the state government’s commitment to tackling violence against children, women and youths.

Iganus said the commitment led to the domestication of the Child’s Protection Act in the state after its neglect for almost 10 years.

She called for collective approach to ending any form of violence against women and children.

For Ibrahim Yusuf, the Team Lead of AC4D said the increasing cases of SGBV and drug abuse in the state underscored the need for continuous sensitisation and engagement.

Yusuf said: “It is therefore needful to bring able bodies on board so that they can give their contribution in addressing the issue.

“One hand can not clap and whoever has a stake must also know the indices or figures that are going up in the negative direction,” he said.

He assured that more engagements would be carried out towards ensuring renewed actions aimed at stamping out cases of SGBV and reversing the negative trend with regard to drug abuse in the state.