The Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development says it is enacting policies and programs aimed at reducing cases of sexual and gender based violence and protecting women’s right in the state.
Commissioner of the ministry Zuwaira Gambo disclosed this to TVC news in Maiduguri the Borno State Capital.
The 13 year Boko Haram insurgency in Borno has significantly affected women and girls by increasing their vulnerability to sexual and gender based violence.
A report released by sexual assault referral centre indicates that over 5,000 cases of sexual and gender based violence were recorded in the last four years in North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
But the state ministry of Women Affairs is putting measures in place to change the narrative.
As disclosed by the ministry, 82% of reported cases of gender based violence are perpetrated against adults, while 18% are perpetrated against children.
Similarly, 53% of such cases are incidents of sexual abuse while 24% happen as a result of forced marriage.
The ministry urged the public to speak out against such act.
The Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has assured that no stone would be left unturned in the fight against gender based violence under the Zulum led administration.