The wife of Zamfara State Governor, Hurriya Lawal, has called for the speedy dispensation of justice in cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The Governor’s wife explained that ensuring swift justice would help combat the menace in the country.
She made the call during a symposium in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, as part of activities lined up to mark the Sixteen Days of Activism Against GBV in the state.
The insecurity ravaging parts of Zamfara State, crippling economic activities and impoverishing the people, is also responsible for the increase in cases of GBV.
She advocated stringent punishment and public shaming of GBV offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Yandi, who was the Guest Speaker, highlighted what constitutes gender-based violence and called for collective efforts to tackle it.
Speaker after speaker encouraged women and other victims of GBV to break the silence by reporting cases to appropriate authorities to ensure offenders are punished and justice is served for victims.
The symposium, held to commemorate the Sixteen Days of Activism Against GBV and sensitize the people of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, attracted state government officials, representatives of security agencies, civil society organizations, human rights groups, traditional institutions, and religious groups, among others.