Niger Governor’s Wife Fatima Bago Raises Alarm Over Rising Gender-Based Violence in the State

Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Umar Bago, the wife of the Niger State governor and Chairperson of the State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Management Committee, has expressed serious concern over the escalating cases of gender-based violence across the state. She urged for cohesive collaboration and unwavering dedication from all relevant stakeholders to combat the growing issue effectively.

During her address at a two-day capacity-building training held in Minna, organized by the Niger State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Bago emphasized the need for collective responsibility in tackling gender-based violence.

“This fight against GBV is not a battle for a single agency or person to win alone. It requires unity, empathy, expertise, and persistent commitment from every stakeholder,” she stressed.

She highlighted the alarming rise in GBV incidents within local communities and called for responses that are not only reactive but also rooted in competence, structure, and coordination.

“Our first responders and committee members have been working under challenging circumstances—limited tools, disjointed systems, and inconsistent practices. That changes now. We are taking decisive measures to reform this approach,” she affirmed.

Meanwhile, Mairo Mann, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, expressed deep concern over the prevalence of rape, a particularly disturbing aspect of GBV. She underscored the devastating impact it has, even on infants and very young children.

“It is encouraging that all 25 Local Government Councils in the upcoming elections have female vice-chairpersons. We are confident they will take this cause to the grassroots where change truly begins,” she noted.

Mann also highlighted a positive development: increased awareness has led to more survivors reporting GBV cases. While acknowledging the trauma faced by victims, she stressed the importance of counseling and rehabilitation in helping them regain stability.

“Healing after such a traumatic experience is difficult, but with proper counseling, many survivors are able to rebuild their lives,” she said.

The workshop also featured Mrs. Olutoyin Falade, the lead consultant, who explained that the training aimed to equip committee members with essential skills and strategies to reduce and manage GBV across various sectors in Niger State.

“Participants are being trained on holistic intervention techniques—covering health, psychosocial, and economic aspects—to support GBV survivors effectively,” she stated.