The Nasarawa State Government has declared zero tolerance on gender-based violence (GBV) to tackle the increasing rate of menace in the state.
Gov. Abdullahi Sule stated this in an event to commemorate the 2024 16-day activism against GBV on Monday in Lafia.
Sule added that the state government would not longer tolerate any form of gender-based violence, such as rape, defilement, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse.
The governor supported the proposal for a death sentence on the perpetrators of rape and defilement to serve as a deterrent to others conceiving any plans to engage in the devilish and barbaric act.
He added that the state had a law in place that prohibits GBV of any kind and spelled out appropriate sanctions for perpetrators.
He, therefore, promised to continue to support women and other vulnerable groups, especially victims of GBV, to make their lives worthwhile.
On her part, Aisha Rufa’i-Ibrahim, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said that perpetrators of this violence would be prosecuted to the fullest regardless of their relationship with the victim.
The Commissioner explained that protecting women and other vulnerable groups is one of the topmost priorities of the Gov. Sule-led administration.
“The state had domesticated the law that protects victims of GBV and provided sanctions to perpetrators.
“The governor had also established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, as well as a Shelter Home for victims of gender-based violence.
“We have also activated a free medical treatment for rape victims, aimed at removing barriers to accessing care and support,” the commissioner added.
In her remarks, Hajjya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, said that the Federal Government also has zero tolerance for GBV and would be hard on anyone found culpable.
The minister said that it is not only women and girls who are abused, but also men and boys as well.
“The government would strengthen all the legal instruments to protect the vulnerable and will collaborate with all stakeholders in the country,” she added.
She called on all communities not to condole GBV and exposed perpetrators to end it.
She advocated death sentences for perpetrators of rape and defilement so that nobody would think of committing it.
The minister said that women’s agenda is strongly in the agenda of President Bola Tinubu-led administration, and the ministry would be at the forefront of ensuring its implementation. (NAN).