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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Ministry of Women Affairs has expressed its delight over the release of the 24 abducted students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, without any form of molestation.
Commissioner for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Halima Kamba, who expressed the delight of her ministry during a briefing with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, noted that gender-based violence (GBV) is a harm that erodes the future of society and the nation at large.
Kamba, who stated this as part of activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism on GBV in the state, disclosed that the United Nations has set aside November 25 to December 10 of every year as GBV activism days.
According to her: “We are gathered here today to affirm a simple transformative truth that violence in any form against women, girls and children is an offence against Almighty Allah and against humanity as well.
“It is therefore prohibited not only in Islam or Christianity but in all forms of religions including traditional worships. GBV in any form and of any type is a crime against all religions.
“GBV is harm that erodes our community, erodes our economy and our future and the future of the next generation alike.”
Kamba said the 16 Days of Activism being observed annually reminds the world that “every action counts, every voice matters and every commitment can bring a change.”
Kamba observed that fortunately, this year “we are not only standing up together as women to condemn violence but we are also celebrating the release and reuniting of our girls with their families, tagged: ‘The Kebbi Girls’.”
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“These girls were abducted on November 17, and released on November 25, and reunited with their families just the very day the 16 Days of Activism commences.”
She said: “Therefore, this year is a very significant GBV celebration for the women and children of Kebbi and Nigerian women as a whole.
“This is a time we remind the world that we can prevent violence of all kinds through education, protection, justice and equity for all.
“Every one of us here has a role to play, every act of offence should be judged and perpetrators be brought to book.”
She called on leaders, educators, persons of faith, CSOs, business men and women, the rich, the poor and children to unite forces against GBV.
The commissioner lauded the state governor for his courageous act of rescuing the Maga girls from their abductors in good time, which happened to be the least number of days schoolgirls stayed in captivity nationwide.
“Not only did they come back on time but there was no abuse, no molestation and no torture. This can only be achieved through purposeful leadership,” she noted.
While congratulating the victims’ parents for the rescue, the commissioner advised them not to be discouraged in supporting and encouraging their wards to pursue Western education towards national development.
