KADUNA — The Kaduna State Government said on Thursday that 25 individuals have been sentenced to death for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence SGBV offences, as part of efforts to combat sexual and gender-related crimes.
Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Dr Rabi Salisu Ibrahim, disclosed this during a meeting with a delegation of Muslim Opinion Leaders championing GBV prevention in Northern Nigeria.
The delegation, which was supported by the Ford Foundation through the Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), visited the Commissioner to assess the government’s progress.
Dr Ibrahim stated that the convictions were part of the government’s comprehensive strategy, which includes both punitive and preventive measures.
She announced that 15,000 women across the state’s 23 local government areas will benefit from a N5 billion Women’s Economic Empowerment WEE Fund, which has been included in the 2025 state budget.
“Since the launch of the WEE Policy in December 2024 by His Excellency Governor Uba Sani, we have prioritized economic empowerment as a tool for GBV prevention,” she said.
The beneficiaries have been organized into 750 women’s cooperatives as part of a broader scheme to reduce women’s vulnerability to violence through financial inclusion, education, and skills development.
The programme builds on previous initiatives, including digital and entrepreneurial training for 5,000 women and girls through a partnership with Google Africa.
The Commissioner also revealed that the state has established a new GBV database to track survivors, monitor case resolutions and coordinate rehabilitation efforts.
A multi-sectoral technical working group is also in place, engaging stakeholders across the legal, educational and social welfare sectors.
Prof. Hussain, who led the delegation, praised the government’s integrated approach.
Director-General of the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith, Barr. Tahir Umar Tahir, congratulated the Commissioner on completing her PhD and urged her to use her academic insights to help eradicate GBV in the state.
