The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over a renovated edifice to serve as shelter for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Gombe State.
Handing over the edifice, Head of UNFPA Kaduna Sub-office, Dr Awoke Tasew-Tebeje, said the building was renovated by UNFPA and handed over to the state to serve as a shelter for women and girls who are survivors of GBV.
He urged the state government to spread the centre across the 11 local government areas to solve the needs of victims within their immediate environment, saying “it is important for such service to be at the communities’ door steps.”
According to him, UNFPA works in three key areas of prevention, protection and provision.
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Commissioning the shelter, the Wife of the state governor, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, commended UNFPA for providing the shelter for survivors of gender-based violence.
Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Naomi Joel Awak, she described GBV as a human right violation, especially for women and girls who were predominantly the victims, and it remained a big concern.
“Many women and girls are at the mercy of their abusers, which has grave consequences for their health and wellbeing.”
