The Zamfara state Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Development Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Lawal Gummi, has assured victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the state of government’s continued support through her ministry.
The commissioner gave the assurance Sunday at the commissioning of a Safe Space Center for the victims of gender based violence established by the state government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
“The newly commissioned Safe Space Center was equipped with necessary facilities and social amenities that will enable the victims of the GBV to have peace of mind,” Gummi stated.
She said the Safe Space Center which was described by Hajiya Zainab Gummi as a remarkable milestone will train the gender based victims on various trades to enable them to be self-reliant.
She also assured that the center will continue offering assistance to the victims of any GBV and advised the people of the state that have any useful information on any person that violates women and children to report to the ministry for necessary action.
She added that the center has been provided with qualified health workers assigned to provide free counseling and offer medication to the victims and provide free care and medication for any form of gender violence.
“We engaged state council of Ulama to give the victims the best knowledge on how to overcome their worries,” Hajiya Zainab stated.
While declaring the center opened, the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, appealed to the state government and the good people of the state to take the issue of rape serious.
The monarch commended the efforts of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Gummi, for supporting women and girls in the state and dedicating herself to the fight against gender based violence in the state.
In his speech, the representative of the UNFPA/Action Health Incorporated, Abubakar Mu’azu Danbukar, stated that the UNFPA has been supporting the initiatives of the Zamfara state government towards the achievement of ending gender based violence.
He added that the UNFPA hopes that the state government will take ownership of safe space by assigning permanent frontline medical, mental health and social work staffs.
In a goodwill message, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajia Halima Muhammad, appreciated the efforts of the UNFPA, implementing partner (AHI) State Technical Working Group of GVB, Save the Children, Human Right, UNICEF and Fomwan for their support.
