Bauchi First Lady Urges Media, Stakeholders To Fight Against GBV

Bauchi State Action Committee on Sexual and Gender-based Violence (BSACGBV) has recorded 218 cases of gender-based violence, including rape, domestic violence, child abuse, forced marriage, child exploitation, abandonment of parental responsibilities and family disputes across the state.

At a media chat yesterday, the chairperson of the committee and wife of the Bauchi State governor, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, said the committee had recorded notable successes since its establishment, including securing convictions in several gender-based violence cases, while others are still pending before courts.

She explained that the committee was established to protect vulnerable persons, promote justice and provide support for survivors of gender-based violence and their families.

Aisha Bala Mohammed also highlighted the major challenges confronting the committee, particularly delays in the judicial process due to constitutional provisions and lengthy legal procedures.

She disclosed that the committee plans to intensify public sensitisation campaigns and community outreach programmes in the coming months to educate residents on how to prevent and address gender-based violence in Bauchi State.

The First Lady commended journalists for their continued support in reporting social issues affecting communities. She urged them to strengthen advocacy efforts aimed at reducing gender-based violence in the state.

“Your role in public enlightenment and advocacy remains invaluable in the collective fight against gender-based violence,” she said.

According to her, achieving meaningful progress requires collaboration among lawmakers, community leaders, civil society organisations, religious institutions, traditional rulers, security agencies and the media.

She reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to protecting survivors, ensuring justice and reducing all forms of violence against women and children.

Hajiya Aisha Mohammed also called for the review of certain laws and constitutional provisions affecting criminal justice administration to ensure timely justice for victims of gender-based violence.

She stressed the importance of understanding the social realities and challenges facing communities to provide effective support for women, youths, and children.

The First Lady further explained that the committee’s activities are humanitarian and community-driven, noting that the government alone cannot address all societal problems without the support and participation of citizens.

She also expressed concern about the low level of public awareness of laws, rights, and responsibilities at both state and federal levels, saying many citizens remain uninformed about the legal protections available to them.

For her part, the Special Adviser to the Bauchi State Governor on Gender-Based Violence, Barrister Sha’awanatu Yusuf, said the committee had achieved significant milestones since its inauguration on 17 April 2020.

According to her, the committee has handled a total of 218 cases, including 94 rape cases, many of which were taken to court, with some offenders already convicted and serving prison sentences.

She added that the committee also recorded 37 domestic violence cases, 51 family dispute cases, 19 forced marriage cases, 11 child abuse cases, five child exploitation cases and one abduction case.

Barrister Yusuf explained that some rape and criminal cases remain pending because they require detailed investigations and judicial processes before judgments can be delivered.

She stated that the committee comprises representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, media organisations, women’s rights groups, traditional and religious institutions, security agencies, human rights organisations and civil society groups.

“The diverse composition of the committee was designed to ensure that every stakeholder contributes meaningfully toward addressing gender-based violence and related social challenges,” she said.

She further explained that the committee was established primarily to tackle rape, child abuse, domestic violence and other forms of social violence, while also providing intervention and support services to survivors.

According to her, members of the public are free to report complaints to the committee for intervention, after which concerned parties are invited for mediation and resolution. Cases that cannot be resolved amicably are referred to the appropriate authorities for legal action.

Also speaking, Muhammad Haruna disclosed that between 17 April 2020 and December 2025, the committee, in collaboration with the Police and Ministry of Justice, secured convictions in 34 gender-based violence cases, while several others remain before the courts.

“We have cases of parents who abandoned their responsibilities, exposing children to danger and making them vulnerable to criminal activities. We also intervened in cases where some Islamic teachers physically abused children entrusted to them,” he said.

Haruna assured that the committee would intensify community sensitisation programmes to educate parents, guardians and the public on their responsibilities toward children in homes, schools, places of worship and public gatherings.

The committee also advocated for the gazetting and full implementation of the Child Protection Law in Bauchi State.