By SUNDAY JOHN

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has vowed to punish perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

Sule made the promise at an event to commemorate the 2024 16-Day Activism against GBV on Monday in Lafia.

The governor, who decried the spate of GBV in the state, said that government would take stringent measures to tackle the menace.

?Government will no longer tolerate any form of GBV, particularly rape, defilement, domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

?There is a law in the state that prohibits all forms of GBV; this law also spells out appropriate sanctions for perpetrators.

?We will use this law to prosecute all perpetrators of GBV in all parts of the state,? he said.

The governor, who backed the proposed death sentence for the perpetrators of rape and defilement, said that such move would to serve as a deterrent to intending culprits.

Sule promised to continuously support women and other vulnerable groups, particularly victims of GBV in the state.

Speaking, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, said that the Federal Government also declared zero tolerance for GBV.

The minister, who said men also suffer abuse, said that anyone found culpable would be decisively dealt with.

?The federal government will strengthen all the legal instruments to protect the vulnerable and will collaborate with all stakeholders in the country to achieve result.

?Women issues are top in the agenda of President Bola Tinubu-led administration, and this ministry will be at the forefront of ensuring its implementation,? she said.

Earlier, Aisha Rufa?i-Ibrahim, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Nasarawa state, called for stiffer sanction for perpetrators of GBV.

The Commissioner explained that protecting women and other vulnerable groups remain a top priority of the current administration in the state.

?The state has domesticated the law that protects victims of GBV and provided sanctions for perpetrators.

?The governor has also established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, as well as a Shelter Home for victims of GBV.

?We have also activated a free medical treatment for rape victims, aimed at removing barriers to accessing care and support,? the commissioner explained. (NAN)