By Murtala Muhammad
Police Investigative Officers (IPOs), Prosecutors, Judicial Officers and Civil Society actors from the twenty local government areas of Bauchi State have been trained on Gender Based Violence, GBV response and ensuring survivors have access to justice.
The two-day training, held in Bauchi, was organised by the State Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Addressing the participants, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Yusuf Adamu said the selection of investigators, prosecutors, judicial officers, and civil society actors was deliberate in view of the critical role they play in ensuring that survivors of GBV find justice and perpetrators are held accountable.
Yusuf Adamu who noted that GBV remains one of the most pressing human rights issues in the state, said government was taking significant steps to curb the menace through formulation of laws, policies, and institutional reforms.
He however acknowledged that laws and policies were not enough, arguing their effectiveness depends on how well the stakeholders, as duty bearers, investigate, prosecute, and secure justice for survivors.
The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the state said training provides a unique opportunity for the stakeholders to sharpen their skills, share experiences, and deepen collaboration.
Speaking, the State Programme Officer for UNFPA, Ms Deborah Tabara said ensuring access to justice for GBV survivors was heavily dependent on relevant ministries’ unweaving commitment to build the capacity of service providers.
Ms Tabara who also acknowledged sacrifice and dedication of stakeholders, said in terms of GBV response, Bauchi must be commended for standing out in creating standard for other states to replicate.
The ministry’s GBV Desk Officer, Maimuna Ibrahim said all GBV cases were traumatising, making reference to a recent report of minor from Toro local government area whose stepmother use a hot metal spoon and burnt her private parts.
Maimuna Ibrahim described the stepmother’s action as heartbreaking, assuring the ministry’s resolve to ensuring justice for the young survivor.
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