Stakeholders have called for proactive measures to tackle the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence in Gombe State.

They made the call in Gombe on Tuesday at a one-day round table on SGBV organised by the Association of Non-governmental Organisations (ANGO), Gombe State chapter, in collaboration with the Organisation of Progressive Women in Nigeria (OPWIN).

Ibrahim Yusuf, ANGO chairman, who spoke on the sidelines of the meeting, expressed concern over the spate of SGBV cases in the state.

He attributed the trend to the inability of the government and stakeholders to put up proactive measures to address the menace.

Mr Yusuf said the menace required collective effort, hence the meeting with critical stakeholders to brainstorm and provide durable solutions to the SGBV.

According to him, Gombe State has been listed amongst the states with high cases of SGBV, which should be a reason for stakeholders to be concerned.

“Cases of reported SGBV are on the rise in Gombe State, and the issue is now even more than a pandemic.

“We call on the state government to declare a state of emergency in this regard because it is a serious matter that affects everyone, as highlighted by stakeholders earlier.”

He, therefore, canvassed for comprehensive measures at multiple levels to create awareness of the ills of SGBV, its causes, consequences, and available support system.

Mr Yusuf stressed that relevant stakeholders in schools and worship centres must drive such awareness campaigns.

“It is also important to strengthen the legal framework and law enforcement mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators of SGBV are held accountable for their actions,” he said.

The chairman urged the state government to provide Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) handling SGBV cases with funding to enable them to prosecute such cases to a logical conclusion.

Also, Adaline Patari, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Gombe State, appealed to stakeholders to strengthen efforts towards ending the menace to ensure a better society for children and women.

(NAN)