The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission on Friday called for collaboration with religious leaders to help stem the tide of gender-based violence in the state.

The Commission said it has treated 163 cases since its establishment in one year, noting that 13 out of the cases are pending in court while one conviction has been secured.

Chairperson of the Commission, Olivia Dazyam disclosed this while briefing journalists in Jos, saying, “Working with religious leaders would change the narrative for us.

“We use this opportunity to appeal to our people, particularly religious leaders, as I have always said, their position is such a privileged one that they can help solve the challenges that we currently face on the Plateau as far as social welfare and protection is concerned.

“Possibly because of our religious orientation and we come around with issues of forgiveness; for example; don’t say it so that you will not disgrace your family.

“The culture of silence is eating us deep on the Plateau; therefore working with religious leaders on the Plateau to change the narrative is very critical.

“As I speak to you now, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission has been able to from February 2024 to November 2024 received and treated one hundred and sixty-three (163) cases consisting of rape, abandonment of parental responsibility, child trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, sale of children, and sale of pregnancy.

“So far, we have thirteen cases pending in court and we have secured one conviction.

“Also, the commission was able to retrieve children who were trafficked outside the state’ and even abroad back to the state.

“The provisions of the Gender and Equal Opportunities law in sections 26 (1) and (3) prohibit all forms of violence with specific emphasis on women and girls.

“Section 20 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law makes it unlawful to abandon spouse or children, while section 17 of the same law prohibits spousal battery.

“The punishment for these offences upon conviction is a term of not less than three years and a fine; not exceeding two hundred thousand naira or both”, Dazyam explained.

“With these, it can be said that the state is not lacking in legal framework to penalize but it becomes increasingly difficult for the law to take effect when victims arid their relatives prefer not to seek justice.

“On a daily basis, the cases received at the commission are so disturbing that it leaves us to wonder what has happened to our humanity.

“The situation is such that children have lost confidence in parents and caregivers. We who are communal in nature, who together ought to bring up children to become, better citizens have abandoned our responsibility and children, are left to their fate.

“Let me assure you, that the Gender Commission with the backing of the state government will not rest on its oars to ensure that our society returns to normal where there is respect for human rights and the dignity of the woman is preserved”, she assured.