Kwara Govt partners UNFPA for capacity building on GBV
…Says Women and Children in Woro Community demand attention.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs is collaborating with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) towards providing capacity training for staff of the Ministry on Gender-Based Violence management using survivor centered approach.
UNFPA is an agency of the United Nations which focuses on reproductive health, gender equality and population issues.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, disclosed this during a meeting with UNFPA officials at the Ministry.
While commending the UNFPA for its support to the Ministry, the Commissioner, however, sought further collaboration with the agency to strengthen the capacity of staff in order to improve efficiency in handling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in the State.
Chief Afolashade affirmed that the state government has provided mechanisms in handling GBV cases which include the inauguration of 21-Man Committee, establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Center( SARC), shelter for survivors, inauguration of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team in Ilorin West, Ifelodun and Moro Local Government Areas among others, noting the need for continuous capacity building to effectively structure the state for current global standards.
Reliving the recent bandits attack on Woro Community in the Kaiama Local Government Area, the Commissioner noted that women and children were usually the most vulnerable in such situations, calling for protection and psychosocial support for the vulnerable groups in the community.
In her remarks, the Kwara State Sexual Reproductive Health Specialist, United Nations Population Fund, Mrs Gloria Enueze, appreciated the state government for the work done so far to protect women and children through the Ministry and assured that the UNFPA is on ground to provide support for the survivors of the Woro attack as well as help amplify the voice of the Ministry in the global space.
The Humanitarian Analyst, United Nations Population Fund, Dr Danladi Idris, stressed the need to train staff on GBV cases management, GBV components, mapping and management of social risk factors, stating that applying Gender Lenses is essential to providing the appropriate support that women and children need during times of crisis.
