Over 150 youths, including individuals with disabilities, took to the streets of Yola, Adamawa State, on Wednesday in a rally against the alarming increase in gender-based violence (GBV). The demonstration, led by the Today for Tomorrow Initiative, aimed to draw attention to the pervasive impact of GBV on Nigerian youths and demand urgent government action.
Speaking at the Federal Secretariat Junction along Yola-Town Road, Adek Bassey Ozaueshe, Executive Director of the Today for Tomorrow Initiative, highlighted the devastating consequences of GBV. Sharing her personal experience, Adek revealed that she endured the trauma of rape for nearly 20 years before finally overcoming it last month. “Recovering from the trauma of gender-based violence is a serious challenge. It affects every part of your body and mind, making it incredibly difficult to heal as a victim,” she explained.
Adek also emphasized that GBV is not confined to a single gender, noting that boys and men are increasingly becoming victims alongside women and girls. “The rise in GBV has reached a point where human dignity seems to have lost its value,” she lamented. The call for societal change was echoed by other speakers at the event.
Cecilia Andrew, Executive Director of the Adamawa State Concern Disabled Foundation, urged the state government to establish a dedicated court to handle GBV cases. She argued that delayed justice in conventional courts often prolongs the suffering of victims. “A special court would ensure timely justice and help victims regain their dignity,” Andrew stated.
Keturah Balanso, the state coordinator of the Today for Tomorrow Initiative, commended Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for signing the GBV law last year. However, she stressed the need for better enforcement by law enforcement agencies. “It’s concerning when perpetrators are released shortly after being arrested. This undermines the law and the justice system,” she said.
The event, sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund, served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address GBV in Adamawa State and beyond. Participants called for stricter implementation of the GBV law to ensure justice and protection for all victims.
