Stakeholders express concern over delay in prosecution of SGBV perpetrators
By Ahmed AHMED
Stakeholders in Bauchi state have expressed concern over delay in prosecution of sexual gender based violence (SGBV) pappetrators.
They expressed their concern at a two days capacity building for stakeholders to bridge the gap created by impunity towards SGBV and how to mitigate the practice in Bauchi state on Monday.
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The capacity building was organized by the Attah Sisters Helping Hands foundation (ASHHF), supported by Women for Women International (WWI).
Mr Yachit Suzan Dala, state coordinator National Human Right Commission (NHRC) expressed concern that there was no improvement in the area of prosecution of GBV cases in the state.
“A lot of cases were reported but unfortunately, there is no serious move to prosecute those cases diligently.
“Getting conviction is still a far cry , this is not unrelated to the level of process of the provision required,” she said.
She said that relations collect inducement to withdraw cases of sexual violence and other forms of abuse.
“This allows the perpetrators to continue committing these evils,” she noted.
She pointed out many cases of sexual violence which were withdrawn by relatives because of the interference of prominent people to allow perpetrators.
Mrs Dala urged the stakeholders to have focus and prevention on the cases as they are increasing on a daily basis because of the reporting mechanism in place and the high level of awareness.
Bishop Isaac Crown in presentation explained Gender-based violence takes numerous forms like intimate partner violence, sexual violence, trafficking for sexual exploitation.
“Female infanticide, child marriage and female gentile mutilation amongst others.
Bishop Crown called for the mobilization of religious leaders on SGBV, because they play a great role in shaping people’s lives, especially in rural areas.
According to him, many cases occurred in the community and were mostly unreported.
“People believe in religious leaders for almost every aspect of their lives, therefore, authorities and stakeholders should engage them.
“To be preaching against all forms of vices including abuse of girls and other vulnerable in the society,” he advised
The Amirah Bauchi state, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim Kilishi expressed worry that the high level of Gender-based violence has become too alarming for stakeholders to ignore.
She said SGBV that is deeply rooted is not religious “women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime.
“Statistics indicate that as much as many survivors are keen for justice, there are some others that want to remain in peril just to be tagged ‘married women’.
The Executive Director ASHHF, Mrs Comfort Attah, reiterated that stakeholders working on gender-based violence are more mobilized and enlightened, and there is greater involvement of the media in the last 2 years.
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She said that the initiative was aimed at working with vulnerable groups to identify their challenges and establish linkages to tackle cases of SGBV.
“We are working with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Security Agencies, Media working on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) to identify their capacity and strength in tackling the menace,” Attah said.
