The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, unveiled a 100-bed space capacity centre facility for survivors of gender-based violence in the state.
The state-of-the-art facility was named after Senator Daisy Danjuma, the wife of General Theophilus Danjuma (retd.).
The facility, named ‘Senator Daisy Danjuma Women Centre’, was also for those who have experienced domestic violence, rape, trafficking, as well as those needing shelter and without family support.
Governor Obaseki said the centre was a key part in the series of concrete steps and action the state government had taken to salvage the future of vulnerable persons, particularly women.
He noted that at one point in the history of the state, over 30,000 persons were waiting in Libya to cross over illegally to European countries, many of whom died.
He said as a result of the negative impact of irregular migration, coupled with the unprecedented increase in the cases of abuse, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown, the state government instituted a number of legal and policy reforms to fighting the social vices, which were aimed at protecting the women and other vulnerable persons in society.
He said, “The centre houses a shelter for female victims of human trafficking, irregular migration, sexual assault referral centre, and the centre is very well equipped.
“We hope that the facility, which provides accommodation, meeting rooms and others are necessary to ensure that women are safe and are offered counselling, psychosocial and legal support.
“In establishing this centre, we received support from the International Organisation for Migration, and also partnered with the Italian government, federal government and the government of Switzerland who is helping us develop the standard practice and exchange programme for staff of the centre.
“With the level of support we are getting from our partners, the centre will surely become a reference point for care for abused women in Nigeria in the near future.”
In her keynote address, Danjuma, who commended the state government for naming the facility after her, noted that women fall victims of abuse of human trafficking and other vices which deprive them of the opportunity to live fulfilling lives.
Danjuma said with the centre, it was expected that women who suffer abuse would be confident to come for help and also receive the necessary assistance they needed for redress.
On her part, the state Commissioner for Health, Obehi Akoria, described the centre as historic for the people of the state.
She added that the establishment of the centre was another bold step in the ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence which is prevalent in society.
