Ebonyi Govt gets safe space for GBV survivors, promises utilisation

By Uchenna Ugwu

The Ebonyi government has received a Temporary Shelter for Gender Based Violence (GBV) survivors in the state.

The United States Agency for International Development-Momentum Country and Global Leadership Project (USAID-MCGL) handed over the shelter to the State Governor, David Umahi, in Abakaliki on Thursday.

The handing over and inauguration ceremony of the facility also known as Safe Space, was organised by USAID MCGL in collaboration with Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Umahi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Kenneth Ugbala, expressed satisfaction over the standard and commitments by partners and promised, proper iof the centre.

“We want to assure you of proper utilisation of the centre and particularly for the purpose it was meant for and also continue to contribute our quota,”Umahi said.

The governor commended USAID, MCGL, Jhpiego, the state Ministry of Women Affairs, among other partners for their support so far in the state.

Meanwhile, Mrs Chioma Oduenyi, the Project Director, USAID-MCGL, described the temporary shelter as crucial as a way of rebuilding survivors social assets in the country.

Oduenyi stated that the facility would give survivors of GBV, space to recuperate and be reintegrated into the society.

She explained that the establishment would help to reduce dangers and prevent further harm against survivors who are at risk of immediate danger from their perpetrators.

She noted that the project was funded by USAID.

“The USAID-MCGL is proud to have partnered with the women affairs in equipping the GBV shelter for routine operations through funding from the agency and USAID, today the GBV safe space is a reality.

“Since 2021, the USAID MCGL, a five years project has being working with the state government through health, women affairs ministries, and indigenous non governmental partners to implement a robust GBV prevention and response activity,”Oduenyi said.

She encouraged the ministries to observe strict compliance of standard to operating procedure.

She expressed confidence that the shelter would serve its purpose of providing and developing supportive services to meet their needs.

She thanked USAID for financial support, Mr Adetiloye Oniyire, Jhpiego Country Director and the management team for their assurance to deliver.

She commended the state government for providing enabling environment for the project to strive.

“I appreciate all stakeholders, specially the MCGL team, led by Mrs Nneka Dikeocha, for the great feat achieved,”Oduenyi said.

Mrs Deborah Okah, Commissioner for Women Affairs, assured the partners that the state would make sure the objectives of its establishment was realised.

Okah noted that the centre would provide rooms for professional counseling and skill acquisition programmes to enable them fit into the society as they leave the facility.

“With the existence of the shelter, survivors will be more encouraged to report violence cases and be safe.

“We are determined in the fight against any forms of violence meted out to women and girls in the state,”Okah assured.

She appealed to good spirited individuals and philanthropists to assist in ameliorating other challenges.

Mrs Dikeocha, said the project started since March 2022, stating that a maintenance process known as standard operation procedure would be developed to manage the place.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured inauguration and handing over of the project to Ebonyi government.

NAN also reports that the facility, which comprises of skilled acquisition unit, rooms for adults and children, among others was named after the First Lady of the state, Mrs Rachael Umahi GBV safe space.

(NAN)