By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Muhammad Hayatuddeen, has decried the repeated questioning of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), warning that weaknesses in the justice system often compound their trauma.

He said survivors were frequently forced to recount their experiences several times during investigation and prosecution, exposing them to further emotional distress despite the availability of evidence.

Hayatuddeen spoke on Wednesday in Kaduna while representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development at a multi-agency Training of Trainers workshop on strengthening survivor-centred SGBV investigation, prosecution and justice outcomes.

He identified weaknesses in evidence gathering, investigation, prosecution and justice delivery as major gaps undermining efforts to tackle SGBV.

“The whole system is poor, from the point of evidence, investigation, prosecution and then justice,” he said.

He argued that government efforts to establish institutions and introduce policies to combat SGBV would not achieve the desired results without an effective system that protects survivors and ensures justice.

The Permanent Secretary also expressed concern over the widespread nature of SGBV, noting that it occurs in both rural and urban communities and affects women, children and, sometimes, men.

He described the training as a strategic intervention, commending the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for bringing relevant stakeholders together to strengthen institutional responses.

Hayatuddeen stressed that collaboration among law enforcement agencies, justice institutions and social welfare providers was essential to addressing the menace, urging participants to become champions of the campaign.

He challenged them to transfer the knowledge acquired to colleagues in their respective institutions, noting that expanding the pool of trained personnel would make the fight against SGBV more effective.

He expressed hope that the intervention would produce stronger strategies and sustained collaboration towards building a society free from sexual and gender-based violence.