Governor urges criminalization of rape, violence against women
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has canvassed the criminalization of rape and other forms of violence against women in Nigeria.
Receiving officials of the state chapter of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), he stressed the importance of women in nation building and proper upbringing of children.
Bala, who expressed concern over the challenges experienced by women and the girl -child, emphasized the need to criminalize rape and other acts of violence against them.
He directed the commissioner for justice and attorney general to design new measures punishing perpetrators of violence against women.
The governor commended the House of Assembly for the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill and pledged the speedy signing of the legislation into law.
Describing education as one of the tools for societal development, Bala said his administration is reducing the prevalence of out –of- school children through the renovation and rehabilitation of classrooms.
He pledged that his administration would consider the domestication of the Child Rights Act after consultations with critical stakeholders based on the peculiarities of the state.
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Earlier, the governor’s wife, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed, said the visit by the NCWS was for the association to seek synergy between it and the state government on issues affecting women, the girl-child and children.
The first lady, who is the matron of the association, assured that she would collaborate with it for the well-being of both women and children in the state.
State NCWS president, Mrs. Shafau Yusuf, stated that the association aims to improve the living standards of women .
She said the council was collaborating with the office of the first lady and the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development to ensure the welfare of women and children.
