By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

The Centre for the Study and Resolution of Domestic Violence (CERSDOV), with support from the Norwegian Government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has extended its campaign on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to Akko and Billiri Local Government Areas of Gombe State.

Gombe is one of the states benefiting from the joint Norwegian Government and UNFPA-backed interventions implemented by CERSDOV to combat GBV and promote reproductive health rights at the grassroots.

Addressing women’s groups at Kumo Central Primary School, CERSDOV Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Hussaini Momoh Lawal, said the outreach was designed to monitor and evaluate the impact of the ongoing SRHR-GBV project following a series of community-level trainings.

He urged participants to break social barriers and work collectively towards building a safer society for women and adolescent girls.

Also speaking, CERSDOV ambassador and State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Mwalin Naomi Abdu, stressed that ending GBV requires the combined effort of parents, government, religious, and community leaders.

In Akko, trained ambassadors said the programme had deepened their knowledge of how best to tackle GBV and SRHR issues.

They explained that they routinely engage women and girls on practical ways of responding to such cases while also encouraging economic independence.

The Chairman of Da’awa in Akko and Coordinator of the Child Protection Network, Mamman Alhaji Buba, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akko branch, Pastor Barnabas Yakubu Faruq, commended the initiative.

They called for greater involvement of men, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to consolidate the gains already recorded.

At the Billiri Local Government Secretariat, women applauded CERSDOV for its interventions, noting that cases of rape and domestic violence had declined significantly.

They attributed the progress to continuous awareness and enlightenment campaigns spearheaded by CERSDOV with Norwegian Government and UNFPA support.

By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe

Gombe State has intensified its efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) as the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Asma’u Mohammed Iganus, formally presented the GBV Prohibition Law to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, seeking the active involvement of traditional rulers in enforcing the law at the grassroots level.

The presentation ceremony, held at the Emir’s Palace in Gombe, brought together key stakeholders including traditional rulers, local government officials, and community leaders.

The event marks a critical step in the state’s broader campaign to end violence against women and children.

Commissioner Iganus emphasized that traditional institutions are indispensable partners in the fight against GBV, describing them as moral authorities with the power to reshape community norms and ensure compliance with the law.

“Our traditional rulers are custodians of culture and respected voices in our communities. Their involvement is vital in shifting harmful practices and ensuring the full enforcement of the GBV law,” she said.

Receiving the law on behalf of the Emir, the Dan Lawan Gombe, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, expressed the Emirate’s full support for the initiative and pledged to work closely with government and civil society partners to protect the rights of women and children.

The Chairman of the Gombe State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Gabriel Galadima, reiterated that the law signed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya sēēɗris now in the implementation stage.

He stressed that the law applies equally to all citizens, regardless of status or influence.

“This law is a clear message that Gombe State will no longer tolerate abuse in any form. Everyone is accountable,” Galadima stated.

The Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna, and other community leaders in attendance also pledged their commitment to raising awareness, supporting victims, and promoting behavioral change within their communities.

The initiative, backed by UN Women, reflects a coordinated and inclusive approach by the Gombe State Government to end gender-based violence. By engaging traditional leaders, the state hopes to bridge the gap between legislation and cultural realities, ensuring that the rights of women and children are upheld across every community.

With the law now in the hands of traditional leaders, Gombe moves closer to building a society free from abuse, discrimination, and gender-based violence.

By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

Yobe State has joined 35 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in endorsing a memorandum supporting the Reserved Seats Bill a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at boosting women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislative bodies.

The endorsement took place during the North-East Joint Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, an exercise organized by the National Assembly to gather regional input on key constitutional reforms.

Fatima Muhammad Paga, a prominent gender advocate and Focal Person of UN Women to Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented Yobe at the hearing.

She emphasized the need for legal measures to ensure more women are elected into decision-making positions.

“This bill is a step toward correcting the historical underrepresentation of women in politics. Reserved seats will not only empower women but will also strengthen our democracy by ensuring diverse voices are heard in parliament,” she said.

The bill, championed by UN Women Nigeria, calls for amendments to the Constitution to guarantee reserved legislative seats for women at both federal and state levels.

The move aims to close the gender gap in political representation and fulfill Nigeria’s commitments under international frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Fatima Paga applauded the broad coalition of civil society organizations, political leaders, and development partners backing the bill.

She described it as a “timely intervention” aligned with the aspirations of women across Nigeria.

The zonal hearing drew stakeholders from across the North-East, including officials from state governments, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and women’s groups.

Advocates remain optimistic that the National Assembly will adopt the proposed amendment, paving the way for greater gender inclusion and equity in Nigeria’s democratic space.