The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Thursday, engaged stakeholders in Gombe State in a bid to end the scourge of gender-based violence in the state.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the NOA Director in the state while speaking at a town hall meeting in Gombe, said everyone had a role to play in fight against the menace.
She said that the meeting was organised by NOA to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in Gombe State and raise more awareness on the need for renewed efforts at ending the menace.
She said that gender-based violence against women and girls was not just a violation of human rights but a threat to societal progress, peace, and development.
“It leaves scars, both visible and invisible, that hinder individuals, families, and communities from reaching their full potential.
“The statistics are staggering, but more than numbers, these in real lives affected our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.
“To truly end violence against women and girls, we must unite as a nation and as a global community. This unity transcends gender, age, religion, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status,” she said.
Patari emphasised the importance of collective efforts and sustained advocacies in ending the scourge of gender-based violence.
She stated that beyond speaking up against the menace, actions were needed through enforcement of laws against gender-based violence.
The noa State Director appealed to all stakeholders to take action at the grassroots towards ensuring justice for survivors while supporting survivors to access medical care and psychosocial support.
Mr Hayatu Usman, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, while commending stakeholders in the state for supporting the fight against gender-based violence, solicited more supports towards ending the scourge.
Represented by ACP Administration, Mr Musa Ningi, Usman, said the issue of sending persons to come and beg the police when arrests were made in this regard was discouraging and should be stopped.
He restated the commitment of the command to ensuring that any person caught was made to face the full wrath of the law.
For her part, Hajiya Fatima Hassan, the founder Santanah Care Foundation, while presenting a keynote address, urged traditional and religious leaders to intensify efforts at addressing the challenge.
Hassan also said that though more of women and girls were often highlighted with regard to GBV but noted that men were also being violated, hence tasked all stakeholders to be vigilant.
Malam Abdullahi Doma, the District Head of Doma, pledged the commitment of traditional rulers to the fight against gender-based violence in the state.
Doma said traditional leaders at the grassroots were doing a lot to check violence against women and girls in rural areas.
He called on traditional leaders to sustain the tempo and take action in collaboration with the security agencies towards checking the menace and ensuring a free and safe society for women and girls in their communities.
