The Kaduna State Government on Thursday expressed concerns over increase in the rate of Gender – Based Violence (GBV) in the State. Umma Ahmad, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Kaduna State, made the disclosure in Kaduna at a meeting with social welfare officers, community leaders, security agency, CSOs and media. The meeting, which focused on ending gender- based violence issues in communities across the state, was organised in partnership with the UNFPA. The permanent secretary, who was represented by Mallam Aliyu Yakasai, a Director in the ministry, said that GBV which includes sexual and mental assault on women, was on the increase in the state. According to Ahmad, GBV is one of the most pervasive violations of human rights in the world, the least prosecuted crime and the greatest threats to lasting peace and development. The permanent secretary called everyone to play a vital role by responding to the cries for justice for women and children who have suffered violence. “We have to do much more to end these horrible abuses and the impunity that allows these human right violation to continue.’’ Ahmad said that now is the time for stronger action as a lot of women face physical and sexual violence. The permanent secretary called on women and children to always reports violence on them saying that, “Based on research in 2013, 4.6 per cent of girls in Kaduna State had experienced sexual violence. “Which is the highest in the North West region in spite the efforts of KDSG to put in place a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response System. “The UNFPA targeted areas of intervention is to improve on GBV policy environment at national and state levels.” On her part, Hauwa’u Yusuf, a Professor of Criminology and Gender Studies, Department of Sociology, Kaduna State University, called on stakeholders to work together to curb the menace of GBV in the society. Yusuf, who was the resource person at the programme said it is important for everyone to accept that GBV exisst in the society and to take it as a personal call to stop it. According to her, gender- based violence is everywhere within the society and called on parents to break the conspiracy of silence. “Be assured that there will be no form of stigmatisation on your children when you speak out or report. “If your child or neighbour’s child is involved, please voice it out,’’ she advised. She called on security agencies to always back up and give full support when such issues occurred. She also advised communities not to take laws into their hands, but to always involve security agencies. “Religious and Community leaders should take it as their responsibility to do the needful by reporting offenders to the law. “It is our role in the society to bring an end or reduce the menace for the perpetrators to be removed from the society, to avoid further damage.’’ Yusuf tasked parents to rise to their expectations by being more vigilant in their respective homes and society. “The conspiracy of silence must be broken. “I call on men and women to always speak out when the need arises,’’ the professor urged
