By Ankeli Emmanuel
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (III), says, henceforth any traditional ruler in Sokoto State, found to be supporting perpetrators of Gender Based Violence (GBV) will be dethroned.
“We will ensure adequate punitive measure for any traditional title holder who tries to truncate or hide perpetrator of violence against women and girls”. Said Sultan at a quarterly coordination meeting on ending GBV organized by Sokoto State Ministry for Women and Children Affairs with support from the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative.
Sultan, who was represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu said, “Sultanate Council will push to see that justice is upheld for survivors of GBV, no matter how well placed the perpetrator is.
He encouraged survivors of such violence and their families to always report cases to appropriate authorities for prompt action.
Earlier, while stating objectives of the meeting, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist in Sokoto State, Pius Uwamanua, said the meeting was meant to strengthen collaboration towards ending GBV in the State.
“To upgrade and review EU-UN Spotlight Initiative progress report in ending violence against women and Children in the State,” he said.
In an address, Sokoto State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Kulu Abdullahi Sifawa, said her ministry is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that women and children in every part of the State are safe.
The Commissioner further thanked all international donors, line MDAs, royal and religious leaders, CSOs as well as the media for continued support in the fight against GBV.
In a goodwill message, UNICEF Chief of Sokoto Field Office, Muhammadeen Fall, decried the rate of violence against women and girls, which he said is alarmingly increasing, adding that the fight towards ending it requires a collective effort.
“We all play vital roles in ensuring that norms and practices that are harmful are brought to an end.
“Over the years, the Sokoto State government has shown great collaboration in the release of their counterpart funding,” he said.
On his part, Speaker Sokoto State House of Assembly, Amimu Achida, represented by the Deputy House Leader, Abdullahi Zakari Rabah, disclosed that the Child Protection Law and Violence Against Person Prohibition Law and all others that has to do with protection of humanity before the lawmakers have gone through first and second readings.
He added that the laws will soon go through the third reading before passage soon.
In a remark, Sokoto State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Suleiman Usman, said anything that affects women negatively, is a direct assault on the society, hence, women as mothers, wives and home keepers must be protected at all times.