From Adam Muhammad, Gusau
The advocacy Nigeria, an non governmental organization, Zamfara state branch has conducted a one day collaborative media round table and advocacy on National Gender Policy NGP, with government officials and community leaders in Zamfara state.
Speaking during the meeting, the executive director Advocacy Nigeria, Hon. Saudatu Sani, said the roundtable meeting is to brainstorm and sensitize the media practitioners and critical stakeholders in Zamfara state to comprehend the significance of National Gender Policy in Nigeria.
“The Advocacy Nigeria organized the sensitization roundtable with practicing journalists and Zamfara state government officials as well as other critical stakeholders, comprising women groups, CSOs, PWDs, community leaders and persons with disabilities group with a view to sensitizing them on National Gender Policy to protect the rights of vulnerable communities in the country.
According to her, the advocacy Nigeria aimed to improve accountability for maternal health services in Adamawa, Gombe, and Zamfara states by mobilizing accountability champions among traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, media for tracking and advocating for accountable budgetary allocations and use for health.
She tasked media to always imbibe with the tenants of their ethics of professionalism with a view to educate, enlighten and inform the general public and key stakeholders on national gender policy and violence against person.
Declaring the roundtable open, the state commissioner of information Hon. Mannir Haidara Kaura Namoda commended the Advocacy Nigeria for the meeting, described it a welcome development as it would touched the living standard of vulnerabilities in the state.
In a goodwill message, the permanent secretary of the state ministry of women and social development Dr. Habibu Yalwa stated that there is need for the passing of violence against person as well as national gender policy bills into law as quickly as possible by the national assembly.
“If the VAPP Act pass into by the Zamfara state government, it will eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons, provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders in the state. Dr. Habibu stated
In an overview, the director Zamfara state assembly legislative matters Malam Yusuf Sabo Tsafe stated that little review of the state violence against persons gazette will soon be presented to the state executive council for proper implementation of the policy in the state .
He also maintained that the state violence against person gazette will soon be translated in Hausa language for the citizens to comprehend its contents.
According to him, the gazette will be distributed to public schools, traditional institutions, religious leaders for proper documentation and implementation of the policy in the state.
In an address of welcome, the Zamfara state coordinator Advocacy Nigeria, Hon. Rabiu Sambo stated that the organization is a Nigerian nonprofit established to promote respect and equality for the rights of women and promote the voice of women in governance and development through research, advocacy, and campaigning.
According to him, the organization will do everything possible to educate every stakeholders on the significance of National Gender Policy for them to inform the authorities concerned on the need for speedy passage and domestication of national and state gender policy for quick implementation in the country .
“We will keep on advocating public and Authorities concerned in the state on National Gender Policy and Violence against person for them to express their opinions to the government on the need for domestication and its formal passage into law to ensure it’s implementation for the benefit of citizens particularly vulnerable women and children in Zamfara state. ” Hon. Sambo stated.
