Bauchi State First Lady Aisha Bala Mohammed has lamented that women and girls experience various forms of violence notwithstanding the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and various laws like the VAPP Law pledging to protect, promote, and enforce the rights of all persons.
The First Lady was speaking at the flagging off of the 2023 16 Days of Activism on gender-based violence, organized by the National Human Rights Commission and Civil Society Organisations, held in her office on Monday, 27th November 2023.
The First Lady stated that gender-based violence is a menace that must be prevented, saying, “Therefore, we cannot fail in our responsibilities of consolidating our efforts to ensure the dignity of our women and girls; therefore, all hands must continue to work together to achieve our goal.”
Aisha Bala Mohammed emphasised her commitment to the fight against GBV and any form of abuse, especially against women and girls, expressing her desire to see a Bauchi state that is free of gender-based violence.
According to her, “I have taken various steps in the actualization of my desire for a violence-free society. I established the Bauchi State Action Committee on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (BSACSGBV), which is comprised of key stakeholders tasked with the responsibility of raising awareness, advocacy, legal and medical interventions on issues of SGBV, as well as humanitarian support to victims, survivors, and their families.”
She stressed, “I will continue to advocate for the passage and implementation of laws to address GBV issues. I have also, through the Action Committee (BSACSGBV), established a Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) and a safe space (shelter) for survivors of SGBV, as well as sensitizing our communities, especially at the grassroots, on the effects and the need to eradicate Gender-Based Violence.”
She also assured that the efforts will be expanded, assuring the people of Bauchi state that she will do more to ensure a Gender-Based Violence-free Bauchi state.
The First Lady said that the theme for the 2023 Activism, “INVEST TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS,” is reflective of the efforts and determination by all stakeholders to ensure the dignity and well-being of women, girls, and society.
“And I commend the National Human Rights Commission for bringing together various stakeholders, speaking with one voice and united to speak out and make concerted efforts in the fight against GBV. I encourage all stakeholders not to relent in their efforts but to continue in the struggle for a violence-free society,” she added.
In separate goodwill messages, various CSOs pledged to support every initiative that will stop gender-based violence against women and girls in the state, stressing that their support will come in the form of advocacy and sensitization.
They commended the First Lady for her various programs and interventions that have mitigated the violence against women and girls in the state, urging her to keep it up.