From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Katsina State Government says plans are underway to establish a special Court to try cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zainab Musa Musawa, who dropped the hint in an interview in Katsina, explained that the development has become necessary due to what she described as an increasing number of GBV cases.
Already, according to her, the Ministry has since set up a GBV centre with helplines for victims to call to report cases of violence, not only against them but others.
“It is for both males and females and we have recorded a lot of cases and we have solved some of these cases and we have taken some to the appropriate authorities,” she said.
According to her, “the rate of rape, forced marriage and other related cases are on the increased hence the state government through the office of the Chief Judge will in no distant time create a special court to prosecute all offenders of Gender-Based Violence just as relevant law enforcement agencies in the state have indicated interest in the fight.
“The administration of Governor Dikko Umar Radda, will leave no stone unturned in prosecuting anyone found guilty of violating the rights of citizens, especially women and children.
“We have launched collaborative partnerships with some law enforcement agencies and government institutions.We are in discussions with the police too and the Commissioner of Police has promised to help in tackling Gender-Based Violence. We intend to bring the crime rate low.
“We are also in partnership with the state’s Hisbah Board as well as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
“The establishment of the GBV centre reflects our collective determination to foster a safer environment for the citizens of the state and ensure justice is served.
“On a daily basis, the GBV centre receives three to four cases.Government is making efforts on a lot of women empowerment programmes in the state, especially on agriculture and SME.
“I assure you that women will always form a larger percentage of the total figure of any state, federal and World Bank empowerment initiatives that will come to the state.We are also going to leverage on the World Bank empowerment project.
“This is a grant that is going to provide N60,000 for each beneficiary to be financially included.
“The grant will also cover educational and health support for the children of the beneficiaries.”