GBV: Mai Kaltungo Commends Gombe First Lady for Supporting Women
The Mai (Emir) of Kaltungo Chiefdom in Gombe State, Engr. Sale Muhammad, has commended the wife of the state governor, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, for taking a stand against fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and supporting women in the state.
According to the royal father, as GBV continues to be a prevalent issue in the state, the first lady chooses to openly stand against such atrocities and support the empowerment of women as well as other victims.
Speaking during a stakeholders engagement and sensitisation on GBV in Kaltungo, the Mai, who was represented by Magajin Kaltungo, Ibrahim Ahmad, acknowledged the efforts of Yahaya in raising awareness about the importance of gender equality and taking concrete actions to address the root causes of the menace.
He explained that by speaking out against GBV and supporting women, the first lady is setting an example for other leaders. He said, “As a result of her advocacy, more women are empowered to assert their rights, seek justice, and break free from oppressive situations.”.
On her part, Yahaya, who was represented by the state commissioner of women affairs and social development, Asma’u Iganus, stated the stakeholders meeting was in commemoration of the 2024 16 Days of Activism in the local government.
She explained that the engagement was a platform to sensitise women and other stakeholders on the dangers of GBV and what the state government is doing to tackle the issue. She said, “We now have VAPP and children protection law in Gombe; we need stakeholders, especially women, to speak to access necessary support services and ultimately change societal norms that perpetuate violence against women.”.
We need the local government chairman to facilitate the establishment of a committee to step down the laws for full implementation of laws. Our state is already rated high on the national GBV dashboard; we need all stakeholders to act fast in tackling this troubling issue,” Yahaya stated.
Meanwhile, the wife of the chairman of the Kaltungo local government area, Lidia Ilya, assured that they will work for full implementation of laws in the area, adding that all hands are already on deck to support victims in the area.
