GBV: Gombe Women Commissioner Engages Gender Officers, Survivors

From Abubakar Rabilu Gombe

In a bid to eliminate Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Gombe State, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Muhammad Iganus, has engaged local government gender desk officers and survivors in an interactive session to explore solutions.

The initiative is part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, following a statewide tour of the 11 local government areas and visits to Emirate Palaces.

During the session, the Commissioner called on the public to assist the less privileged, especially people with special needs, who are disproportionately affected by rape and molestation. She revealed that a significant number of reported GBV cases involved children with disabilities.

Iganus urged local government gender desk officers to collaborate with appropriate agencies to ensure timely reporting and handling of cases.

She emphasized the importance of involving security personnel and the Ministry of Women Affairs in addressing these issues.

In her remarks, the President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Hauwa Saraki, commended the Ministry for its dedication to the 16 Days of Activism, noting that such initiatives were nonexistent 33 years ago.

She praised the engagement of gender officers, expressing optimism that with the Commissioner’s zeal and commitment, GBV cases in Gombe would reduce significantly by 2025.

Speaking on behalf of the Human Rights Office in Gombe, Lokoto David Hamma lamented the prevalence of violence within families. She noted that cases often involve close relatives, such as fathers or uncles, who commit these heinous acts but manage to hide them.

Hamma stressed the need for parental sensitization and early sex education. She pointed out that many girls lack basic knowledge about their bodies, especially during critical stages like menstruation.

According to her, this ignorance often leads to unwanted pregnancies due to a lack of guidance.

Comfort Adamu, a police officer from the Gender Desk of the Gombe State Command, highlighted a reduction in reported rape cases during the 16 Days of Activism.

She stated that only two cases were recorded within the period, a significant decline compared to previous months.

Adamu suggested that sustaining the program year-round could drastically reduce, if not eliminate, GBV cases in the state.

A survivor from Wuro Kesa ward in Gombe, Asma’u Umar, shared her heartbreaking experience. A mother of seven, she recounted how her husband pushed her out of their home with her eldest son, aged 20. Despite the challenges, she refused to leave her children behind.

Asma’u appealed to the Commissioner for intervention, explaining that, at her age, she has nowhere to go and depends on her children for survival.

The session concluded with contributions from gender officers, who provided actionable suggestions to tackle GBV in Gombe. As part of its support for survivors, the Ministry donated clothing to help them rebuild their lives.