Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Rifkatu Gwandi, has said cases of gender-based violence were decreasing in the state.

Mrs Gwandi stated this in an interview in Yola on Wednesday.

She attributed the success recorded to the commitment of the state government, implementation of the Violence Against Person Prohibition Law and the support of partners and other stakeholders in the state.

She said, “Though we still have reports here and there but it is not as it was before. The frequency has drastically reduced because the perpetrators are always brought to book and justice is ensured for the victim. Advocacy is also being carried out by the ministry while other stakeholders have really been of help.’’

Mrs Gwandi said that the state government in collaboration with the wife of the governor, Hajiya Lami Fintiri, participated in a series of activities to commemorate this year’s 16 days activism against GBV.

She called on stakeholders not to relent on their efforts, saying the ministry would always welcome partnerships.

The permanent secretary also urged survivors to speak out so that necessary action could be taken against perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.

“If we do not hear the voices of victims, the perpetrators will continue to do whatever they are doing because they feel nothing will happen to them. So I call on parents, school heads and stakeholders to be in the vanguard of making sure that what is heard about GBV is not kept secret,” she said.

(NAN)