The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Adamawa has called on Nigerians to unite in the fight against drug abuse to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
Mrs Mathias Masoti, the Deputy State Commander of the agency, made the call at a townhall meeting in commemoration of 16 Days Activism to end Gender Based Violence in Yola on Thursday.
The meeting was organised by the Adamawa Ministry of Women Affairs, UNFPA, USAID and Catholic Relief Services, with the theme: “Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls”.
Masoti said the root cause of most of the GBV are as the result of drug abuse and called on all to shun abusing drug and other substances for good health and better society.
According to her, some of those who defiling their daughters are also as the result of drug abuse and the ladies abuse drugs because of attitude of their fathers having sex with them.
Mrs Rifkatu Gwandi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, said this year’s theme is timely.
According to her, it is high time to invest on women and girls by creating awareness to the general public on effect of VAWG and put an end to it.
She said the health impact of violence can last a life time, affecting physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health.
“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the head line of the news in our communities today is how women, girls and children are raped.
“It is high time we put heads together and say NO! for us to get a better future,” she said.
Mr Dan-Iya Hamid, the Deputy Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Centre, attributed some of the causes of GBV to include drug abuse, poor parenting, unemployment, indecent dressing and poverty.
He therefore appealed to parents to ensure good upbringing of their wards to end GBV.
He equally expressed the need to fight against indecent dressing by some women in some communities.
