Stiffer punishment to serve as deterrence to perpetrators of rape and other forms of violence against women in the country has been stressed by the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Gombe State if indeed the war against the menace must be won. The Coordinator of the Coalition, Hajiya Zariyatu Abubakar, therefore appealed to the Executive Arm of Government in Gombe State to hasten the domestication of the Child Right Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAAP) Act. She said this will establish a legal framework for the prevention and administration of justice on gender-based violence including rape in the state. Tribune Online reports that Community Engagement and Advocacy Officer, Save the Children, Mr Akpan Effiong, said except the Child Rights Act is domesticated in Gombe State, it will be difficult to enforce justice, which is key to child protection. According to him, “We cannot rest until there are implementations of laws to fight such sexual violence in the society.

Source: Nigerian Tribune June 11, 2020 12:11 UTC