By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Borno State Government has said that a total of 4,104 cases of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) have been recorded in the state between six months (January – July, 2021).
The state government also said the non availability of gender desk in most of the police stations in the state to fast track investigation and prosecution of SGBV cases and issues has been one of the challenges.
The Director of Women Affairs, Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Falamta Gambo Hamza disclosed this during a press conference held in Maiduguri on Friday.
The press conference was organized by Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the British Council and European Union as part of the activity to mark the 16 days of activism on World Human Rights Day.
Hagiya Hamza explained that out of the 4,104 cases recorded, 3,805 were female victims and 237 cases were male victims.
She added that: “Although, there was an increase in reporting of SGBV cases and issues, increased awareness and sensitization through stakeholders engagements, campaigns and increased prosecution of SGBV cases have resulted in the prosecution of 51 cases and 51 perpetrators were convicted between January and July 2021”.
The Director added that work was also in progress to establish 2 SARC centers in Monguno and Biu, free access to medical and psyco-social services with Borno State Ministry of health, Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and other partners along with livelihood support for survivors through the support and assistant of UN-Women and FAO .
She maintained that some of the challenges also include late reporting of SGBV cases, interference in the communities in GBV cases and delay in prosecution of perpetrators of SGBV cases in the state, among others
The Program Manager, Gabasawa Initiative, Mr. Oluwatoyin Salau said the activity was held to improve the general awareness on SGBV issues in the state and the collaboration of the state government and development partners in addressing the menace with emphasis on the achievements recorded and challenges confronted of SGBV in Borno State as the key objectives of the event.
Similarly, the representative of The British Council, Mr. Emmanuel Iyaji, who condemned the spate of Sexual Gender Based Violence in Borno, said the 16 day of activism is to combat violence against women and girls towards making them know their rights and encourage them to seek for justice .
He urged the public to join the crusade in the fight against SGBV in the society, stressing that, such threats destroy the society and women as well as children’s life.
Representative of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Inspector Pogu Stephen said police in the state has been assisting in handling SGBV classes in Borno State especially, through the Sex Center newly established in the state.
He explained further that police has worked cordially with the CLO, Human Rights groups and NAPTIP as well as NGOs on SGBV cases. He, however, warned that the police would not compromise neither relent in its efforts to arrest, investigate and prosecute any suspect involved in such act.
Inspector Stephen added that police will continue to be the watchdog of the society anytime, anywhere against homicides and other crimes to ensure safety of lives and properties.
NAPTIP repesentative, Hadiza Brabi said it is important that a thorough sensitization and mobilization campings should be carried out across the state by all the stakeholders in the fight against SGBV.
She noted that cases of SGBV was becoming rampant if not prominent in Borno and government as well as organizations including NGOs should intervene immediately to address the ugly situation in the overall interest of women and girls in the society .
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