The Zamfara State House of Assembly says it will soon enact laws to provide for stiffer panelties for rapists and domestic violence offenders.
The Speaker, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, said this while receiving executives of the Women Peace Ambassadors, an NGO, who were on advocacy visit to the Assembly on Wednesday.
Magarya, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Musa Bawa, said the legislative arm was poised to fight all forms of social, gender and domestic violence, adding that they had become rampant.
He said that the Assembly would soon make laws for stiffer penalties for rapists and other domestic violence offenders as part of efforts to rid the state of the crimes.
He commended the group for the visit, describing it as timely, and assured it of the Assembly’s readiness to continue partnering it to move the state forward.
“We also commended the foresight of the group leaders for bringing laudable programmes aimed at uplifting the status of women and promoting peace and unity.
“Women play strategic roles in character molding; therefore, there is a need to do everything possible to promote their social status adequately.
“The Assembly is fully determined to champion the cause of women in promoting peace and unity in the state,” Magarya said.
He noted that the present administration led by Gov. Bello Matawalle introduced a women empowerment programme under the Office of the Governor’s Wife, Mrs Aisha Matawalle.
“Every month, the state government donates N20,000 to over 1,800 unemployed women beneficiaries of the programme across the state,” the speaker said.
Earlier, the chairperson of the group, Hannatu Yahuza, said that the group was in the state Assembly to give support to the lawmakers and seek advice on ways to improve its activities.
Yahuza said that apart from fighting gender discrimination and violence, the NGO was promoting peace, unity and discipline among couples through various schemes.
