Bauchi, UNFPA Boost Prosecutorial Skills to Tackle Gender-Based Violence
By Bashir HASSAN, Abubakar
The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has organised a two-day intensive training to strengthen the prosecutorial skills of police investigators and other key stakeholders in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Declaring the session open, the State Solicitor-General Adamu Yusuf said government has introduced laws, policies, and institutional reforms to curb SGBV, but warned that “their effectiveness depends on how well we, as duty bearers, investigate, prosecute and secure justice for victims.”
He noted that the forum brings together investigators, prosecutors, judicial officers and civil society actors to sharpen their skills, share experiences and deepen collaboration, ensuring survivors get justice and perpetrators face the law.
Delivering a keynote, UNFPA Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, Deborah Tabara, described the training as a strategic response to persistent gaps in handling GBV cases. She stressed that working on GBV remains challenging, hence the need for continuous capacity-building to improve case management and outcomes.
Tabara commended the Ministry of Justice for championing the initiative and reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to support Bauchi State in meeting its development goals.
The workshop’s objectives include:
Improving knowledge of GBV laws and case law in Bauchi State.
Equipping investigators with skills in evidence collection, forensic documentation and chain of custody.
Strengthening prosecutors’ ability to frame charges, present medical evidence and secure convictions.
Promoting survivor-centered justice that balances restorative and punitive models.
Enhancing collaboration among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, health professionals and civil society organizations.
Tags:
TAKLING GBV