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| DR. A'ISHA BALA MUHAMMAD Bauchi State First Lady |
Bauchi State first lady Dr. Aisha Bala Muhammad said her office through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) have so far responded to over 168 cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV), which is part of an effort to provide the needed support to the survivors of GBV.
Dr. A'isha Bala stated this in Azare, Capital of Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi state, while declaring open, 5-Day Training of Trainers on Gender Based Violence (GBV) Care and Support for Frontline Health Workers, organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in Collaboration with Bauchi State Ministry of Health and supported by the USAID Integrated Health Project IHP.
The first lady said the training came at the right time as the government under the leadership of governor Bala Muhammad is giving top priority to health care provision in the state.
Represented by the State Commissioner, Ministry of Cooperative and SMEs Hajiya Sa'adatu Bello Kirfi, the first lady said the increase in Gender Based Violence especially against women during the lockdown as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, demanded more government action and multi-sectoral engagement to respond effectively.
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| HAJIYA SA'ADATU BELLO Commissioner, Bauchi State Ministry of Cooperative and SMEs (Representing First Lady) |
She said, "the office of the first lady of Bauchi State had observed with concern the increase incident of Gender Based Violence especially in Bauchi state."
"This led to the constitution of Bauchi State Action Committee on Sexual and Gender Based Violence under my office in order to create awareness and take proactive measures in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders," the first lady said.
She added that, "the growing needs of the survivors of GBV and the passion to see that right step is put in place to cater for the needs of the survivors of GBVs in Bauchi, motivated the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the Bauchi Specialist Hospital"
"The SARC is one self centre that provides free and confidential specialized medical care to persons who have been assaulted."
She further said, "having interacted with women and girls from different backgrounds who have been assaulted, I understood the trauma survivors experienced as a result of stigma in the community, which further driven my passion to have a shelter and the space under my community to provide a safe space for them as well as other women in distress."
Dr. A'isha Bala however emphasizes the need for concerted efforts by a multi-sectoral organization in order to mitigate the ugly trend.
She therefore commended the IHP for its commitment in giving intervention in the state's health sector as well as other technical support.
She also called on the participants to make good use of the opportunity of being part of the training for the benefit of humanity.
Earlier in his remarks, IHP State Technical Director Dr. Ibrahim Kabo said one of the cornerstone of IHP working with the state, is to ensure that the system is responsive to survivors of Gender Based Violence.
He said the training is to build a cohort of master trainers so they can train everywhere in Nigeria.
He therefore thanked the state government for its efforts towards improving and enhancing the quality of health services and access for women and children.
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| DR. IBRAHIM KABO Bauchi State Technical Director USAID IHP |
Dr. Kabo however reiterated commitment of IHP and other partners that are working in the sphere of Gender Based Violence, to work and invest a lot to ensure that this is a success.
Dr. Kabo also handover the training manual designed by the Federal Ministry of Health to the first lady to serve as a guide to supporting the survivors of Gender Based Violence.
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