By Hussaini Yero
The Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Zamfara has urged the state government to establish mobile courts for easy prosecution of GBV cases.
Chairman of the network, Ahmad Hashim, made the call in Gusau at the quarterly meeting of the CSOs, organised by Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), an NGO based in the state.
The meeting was supported by International Alert, an NGO funded by the UK Department for International Development to ensure promotion of stability, access to justice and accountability.
The meeting had participants from NGOs, CSOs and Community Based Organisations (CBOs).
Other participants were representatives from security agencies, Religious Bodies, Human Rights Commission and the media, among others.
Hashim, who lamented what he termed “increasing cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases in the state”, added that “we believe the establishment of mobile courts will help in resolving many cases.
“On behalf of the network of NGOs, CSOs, CBOs in the state, we are appealing to the state government to ensure full implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
“The VAPP law has already been domesticated in the state.
We want full implementation of the law, as we all know the content of the law plays a significant role in the fight against GBV.
“The present administration should also establish GBV Survivors’ Trust Fund to provide financial and moral support to survivors.”
The Chairperson of the International Federation of Female Lawyers, Zamfara branch, Hajiya Amina Sanci, decried low awareness on issues related to GBV and human rights.
Sanci urged stakeholders to assist in educating citizens on GBV reporting.
Earlier, the Executive Director of VAI, Mr Musa Umar, said the meeting was part of UKaid-funded project to promote stability, access to justice and accountability in the North West.
He noted that the VAI, with support from International Alert, succeeded in the establishment of two Women Safe Space Centres in Birnin-Magaji and Tsafe local government areas of the state.
“I believe this network will continue to link GBV survivors with medical, legal, security, psychosocial and empowerment support”, Umar said.
