12 survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) have been repatriated by the Katsina State Government to their respective states since December 2023.
In an interview with NAN in Katsina, the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa, revealed this information.
The survivors were either reunited with their families or handed over to their state officials by the ministry through its GBV Centre.
Since the establishment of the centre on December 10, 2023, a total of 91 GBV cases have been received and treated, Musa-Musawa shared.
Among these cases, there were 41 instances of abuse, 11 cases of resource denial, nine cases of forced marriages, nine physical assaults, ten sexual assaults, and three rape cases.
Highlighting the challenges faced by stakeholders in addressing GBV in the state, Musa-Musawa mentioned limited resources, bureaucratic obstacles, and cultural resistance.
Key barriers to reporting GBV include stigma, fear of reprisal, and distrust in the justice system, which contribute to a culture of silence among survivors.
Support services and legal frameworks are often inadequate due to lack of funding, accessibility issues, and institutional weaknesses.
To tackle these challenges, sustained investment in capacity-building, community engagement, and policy reform is necessary to ensure a survivor-centric approach and an efficient response to GBV in Katsina State.
She emphasized the state’s dedication to enhancing collaboration among members of the steering committees.