Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence to Address Human Rights Violation Against Women and Girls

The Nasarawa State Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence has been urged to intensify efforts in addressing human rights violations, particularly those impacting women and girls in Nasarawa State.

The state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Aisha Rufai made the call during the second Quarterly meeting for members of the state Technical Working Group at the children’s home in Lafia.

The meeting, organized by the Ministries of Health, Women Affairs, and Social Development with support from the World Bank, united representatives from various sectors such as the police, judiciary, women, youth groups, civil society organizations, as well as traditional and religious bodies.

The goal was to collectively combat gender-based violence and safeguard the vulnerable in the society.

In his address as a representative of the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Clement Allu applauded the state Technical Working Group’s efforts in identifying and evaluating cases of gender-based violence.

He stressed the continuous commitment needed from the relevant ministries to ensure the protection of women and youth against any form of violation.

Giving an overview of the meeting, Mrs. Ester Yonah, the head of the Nigeria COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project, commended the group for its dedication to addressing gender-based violence, particularly focusing on cases such as rape and child molestation expressing optimism that further measures would be adopted to effectively combat this societal menace.

Speakers at the gathering underscored the importance of taking punitive measures against perpetrators of human rights violations, especially those affecting women and children, to serve as a deterrent to others and emphasized the necessity for enhanced collaboration in the collective fight against gender-based violence.