UNFPA provides shelter for victims of GBV in Gombe
Chima Azubuike
The United Nations Population Fund, on Tuesday, handed over a renovated shelter for Women and girls especially survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Gombe State.
Our correspondent reports that GBV rate in the state is in the increase, the shelter will support women and girls to recover from violence, form networks and access support, safety as well as provide them opportunities.
Speaking during the presentation of the women and girls centre UNFPA representative in charge of Kaduna Sub Office, Dr Awoke Tasew-Tebeje, said shelter was renovated to bring succour to victims of GBV in the state.
Tasew-Tebej urged the State Government to replicate such centre across the 11 local government areas, in order to solve the needs of victims within their immediate environment.
He disclosed that UNFPA works in three key areas of prevention, protection and provision of services.
Tasew-Tebej said, “We have to make sure there is no gender-based violence but if it happens. This is a safe heaven to victims of violence and they will be connected with the legal system to make sure the perpetrators are brought to justice. They will be connected with the healthcare referral system and psycho-support services.
“Such services should be closer to the communities.In future such shelters is better we take them closer to the communities to access this service. This should really be a model for other states.”
Also speaking, Wife of the Governor Asma’u Yahaya, who was represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Naomi Awak, commended UNFPA country Representative Ulla Mueller, for the support in renovating the shelter for women and girls who are survivors of Gender and Sexual-Based Violence in Gombe.
“Gender-Based Violence is a horrifying reality and a human rights violation of especially women and girls, which remain a big concern. It represents one of the manifestations of gross gender inequalities depriving girls and women of their fundamental human rights which creates and sustains power imbalances that limit access to opportunities and resources, thus preventing girls and women from realising their rights and full potential.
“Many women and girls are at the mercy of their abusers, which had grave consequences to their health and wellbeing. It is therefore important to have a place where women and girls can go to at any time to feel safer and empowered and have access to information, education, recreational activities, support and services,” Yahaya said.
On her part, Overseeing Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Asabe Malami, promised that the shelter would be used for the reasons it was established.
She urged residents to support the victims, “whatever you have you can put it as gift for the shelter, we can all do it, we are all government,” Malami pleaded.
