The Katsina State Government has announced that it has facilitated the repatriation of approximately 12 survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to their respective states since December 2023.
Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa, the Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, revealed this during an interview with NAN in Katsina. She explained that the Ministry, operating through its GBV Centre, collaborated with state officials to repatriate some survivors, while others were successfully reunited with their families.
Musa-Musawa further disclosed that since the inauguration of the centre on December 10, 2023, it has received and addressed approximately 91 cases of GBV. Among these cases, 41 involved abuse, 11 pertained to denial of resources, nine were related to forced marriages, nine involved physical assaults, ten were cases of sexual assault, and three were rape cases.
Musa-Musawa said, “Stakeholders face challenges such as limited resources, bureaucratic hurdles, and cultural resistance in addressing GBV in the state.
“Also, barriers to reporting GBV include stigma, fear of reprisal, and distrust in the justice system, perpetuating a culture of silence among survivors.
“Existing support services and legal frameworks often fall short due to underfunding, inaccessibility, and institutional weaknesses.
“Overcoming these challenges requires sustained investment in capacity-building, community engagement, and policy reform to ensure a survivor-centred approach and effective response to GBV in Katsina State.”
She assured us of the state’s commitment to continuous efforts to improve the extant synergy between members of the steering committees.
