From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
First Lady of Kebbi State, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris has condemned the rise in the femicide and rape cases in Kebbi state this year and charged the general public to ensure safety of women in their society.
She stated this while addressing gathering of women in Birnin Kebbi after a rally against Gender Based Violence (GBV) campaign to mark International Day for the Elimination of menace .
The procession commenced from the College of Nursing Sciences and terminated at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi.
Addressing a large gathering of people at a Public Lecture in the Banquet Hall, Hajiya Zainab Nasare, affirmed commitment to ensuring that every girl and woman remained safe from any form of gender based violence throughout the state.
She stated that GBV required collective effort and dedication from every individual because GBV has no boundaries , religion, or tribe .
“Gender based violence impacts families, communities, and entire societies.The rise in femicide and rape cases this year is alarming, and we must act to ensure no case is overlooked”,
“This year’s campaign is a call for collective responsibility, no woman or girl should live in fear of violence or discrimination,” Hajiya Nasare said.
The Wife of the Governor announced that outreach programmes would be conducted to engage communities.
“The administration of my husband, Dr. Comrade, Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has placed increased protection, provides major supports, shelter, more resources and medical care for survivors of GBV in the state”,
“The administration will work along side civil society organizations to reach out to those in remote places”
” As we emback on this 16 Days Activism, let us be committed to bringing changes where every girl feel safe, every woman empowered, and every survivor lives without shame or stigma, let us end GBV”, the Wife of the Governor remarked.
The first lady advocated for sustained action, emphasizing that, everyone must take responsibility to achieve lasting change through togetherness.
In her remarks, the Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Women Affairs, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar Faruq, commended Hajiya Zainab Nasare for her commitment to the eradication of GBV in KebbI, which has been acknowledged nationwide.
Representatives of NAPTIP, TWG, GBV, the Police and Civil Defence, NAWOJ, WRAPA delivered goodwill messages on the occasion.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Muhammad Bande, presented a paper highlighting the dangers of GBV and the need for collective action to stop the menace.
On the occasion, Hajiya Zainab Nasare received an Award of Excellence presented to her by the State Technical Working Group on Gender Based Violence, TWG-GBV.