Sokoto Govt Partners UN Women in Drive to Prevent GBV

Sokoto Govt Pledges Stronger Partnerships to Tackle Gender-Based Violence, Empower Widows

The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with community-based organisations, UN Women, and other donor agencies to strengthen the prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promote women’s rights.

Hajia Hauwa’u Umar-Jabo, Director of Women at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, gave the assurance during a GBV awareness programme held on Monday in Bodinga Local Government Area.

She explained that the ministry had organised a series of activities to raise awareness on GBV and also commemorated International Widows Day to engage communities on the challenges faced by widows.

According to her, the events created a platform for widows to share their experiences, highlight social stigma, and call for empowerment, inclusion, and social justice.

Umar-Jabo stressed the importance of gender-sensitive policies, eliminating harmful traditional practices, and promoting economic empowerment through skills development and access to resources. She noted that the 2025 International Widows Day theme, “Empowering Widows, Building Resilience, and Restoring Dignity,” underscored the need for laws that protect widows’ rights.

In his remarks, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, urged NGOs, community groups, and institutions to prioritise women’s economic empowerment by supporting skills training, access to finance, and livelihood opportunities.

Also speaking, Mrs. A’isha Muhammad, a Gender Specialist and resource person, called for renewed policy reforms to protect widows and their children, stressing that equitable access to opportunities remained critical to achieving meaningful change.

She further urged stakeholders to deepen collaboration to sustain progress, secure commitments, and ensure advocacy translates into tangible improvements in the lives of widows.