By Hussaini Yero, Funtua The Zamfara State Government, in collaboration with development partners, has commenced activities for...
By Hussaini Yero, Funtua
The Zamfara State Government, in collaboration with development partners, has commenced activities for the 2025 edition of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The coordinated partners leading the rallies and sensitisation campaigns across various parts of the state include the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Premium Vanguard International, and the Reproductive Health Community and Services. The activities lined up for the commemoration include school outreach programmes, media engagements, stakeholder sensitisation and a walk rally to raise public awareness on GBV.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Wife of the Zamfara State Governor, Hajiya Hurriya Lawal, called for unity, collective action and accountability in the fight against GBV, describing it as a profound threat to social wellbeing and development. She noted that this year’s theme serves as a powerful reminder that “digital violence is real violence.”
Hajiya Hurriya explained that in today’s rapidly evolving digital world, phones, gadgets and social media platforms have become integral to daily life, but have also been weaponised for harassment, cyberbullying, blackmail, exploitation, cyberstalking and emotional abuse. She stressed that online abuse is not abstract or imaginary, saying it inflicts real pain, trauma and long-term harm. She urged stakeholders to protect citizens in both physical and digital spaces.
She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment under Governor Dauda Lawal to strengthening social welfare systems, improving access to justice, enhancing community safety and reinforcing health structures. She emphasised that this year’s focus goes beyond awareness creation, highlighting key priorities such as stricter enforcement of laws protecting survivors, improved access to justice for victims of both online and offline violence, stronger collaboration with security agencies, expansion of safe spaces, psychosocial support, counselling services, and the promotion of digital safety and responsible online behaviour.
Hajiya Hurriya further called for an end to stigma, silence and harmful cultural practices that prevent survivors from seeking help. She said the fight against GBV requires the involvement of government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, law enforcement agencies, educators, civil society groups, journalists, market women, youth associations and the media.
Addressing young people, whom she described as the generation of the digital age, she urged them to use technology to uplift others rather than cause harm, and to embrace respect and responsibility both online and offline.
As she officially flagged off the 2025 16 Days of Activism, the governor’s wife reminded participants that a peaceful and progressive Zamfara depends on the safety of women, children and digital spaces. She expressed confidence that through collective effort, the state can build a society where no individual suffers abuse, justice is accessible and every citizen lives without fear.
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