By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed II, has expressed the full support of the Dukku Emirate for the enactment of stricter laws to safeguard the rights of women and children against abuse and exploitation in Gombe State.
Speaking on the occasion of Human Rights Day, the Emir described the rising cases of abuse against women and children as deeply troubling. He also decried reports of child trafficking to foreign countries, calling it an intolerable practice that must be urgently addressed.
The Emir stressed the need for collective action, urging community leaders and members to unite in tackling this pressing issue. He reiterated the Emirate’s commitment to supporting all measures aimed at strengthening laws to ensure that perpetrators of abuse face the full weight of justice.
He appealed to parents to refrain from allowing their young daughters to engage in street hawking and instead prioritize their education. He highlighted government initiatives such as the AGILE program, which aims to reintegrate out-of-school girls, particularly those who have not completed secondary education, back into the school system.
The Emir firmly stated that anyone found guilty of abusing women or children should face severe consequences without leniency. He pledged the Emirate’s full cooperation in efforts to ensure that women and children are protected from all forms of exploitation and harm.
Meanwhile, the First Lady of Gombe State, Hajiya Asma’u Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Asma’u Muhammadu Iganus, emphasized the critical need to address the alarming rate of abuse against women and children in the state.
During a visit to the Dukku Emirate, she sought the collaboration of traditional rulers, district heads, and village chiefs in spreading awareness and mobilizing rural communities to protect women and children.
Hajiya Asma’u expressed the state government’s determination to reduce incidents of abuse and ensure that Gombe State is no longer counted among states grappling with this challenge.
She highlighted the government’s ambition to achieve significant progress in safeguarding the rights of women and children by the coming year.
This united front between the government and traditional institutions is expected to drive impactful change in the fight against abuse and exploitation in Gombe State.
