By Dare Akogun
The First Lady of Kwara State and Founder Ajike People Support Center Ambassador Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq has commissioned the Ajike Sexual Assault Referral Center located within the premises of Kwara State General Hospital Ilorin.
Ambassador Abdulrazaq at the event noted the spike in incidents of sexual and gender based violence during the lockdown occasioned by the outbreak of COVID 19 informed the declaration of state of emergency on SGBV which necessitated adoption of protective laws across the States of the Federation.
To consolidate on the gains recorded Ambassador Abdulrazaq noted that centers like this becomes imperative to provide support and care of survivors of sexual and gender based violence.
She however share her commitment to ensure that the other designated spaces within Civil Service Clinic and Children Specialist Hospital would be equiped for operations in the New Year while same will be replicated in the 16 Local government areas of the State.
Ambassador Abdulrazaq commended the Governor of Kwara State Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his kind disposition to the cause of women saying that this is evident in his assent to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and the Gender Inclusion Bill which ultimately reflected in his appointment of women and youth as state officials.
The first lady also commended the Kwara State committee on sexual and gender based violence, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Health , Hadis Foundation and other Civil Society Organizations for working tirelessly for the success of the project which was supported by Ford Foundation.
Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq further used the occasion of event to enjoin parents, partners and neighbors to eschew all manners of violence and encourage victims to speak out as this is deemed a veritable way to start their healing process.
She further noted that as partners in this drive, she enjoined men and boys to join their voice to this cause, while assuring that no stone would be left unturned to end incidents of gender based violence and bring succor to the victims in the State.
Earlier the Kwara State Commissioner for Women Affairs Hajia Maryam Hassana appreciated the First Lady for leading the fight against sexual and gender based violence from the front and commended the State Committee on Sexual and gender based violence for amplifying awareness on sexual and gender based violence.
Also the representative of Hadis Foundation Dr. Zainab Salihu highlighted the efforts of the Hadis foundation in the drive to rid our communities of sexual and gender based violence, she added that the sexual assault referral was named in honour of Kwara State First Lady in recognition of her contributions to the protection and development of women and all vulnerable persons.
The commissioning was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, Top Government Functionaries, Traditional and Religious leaders and members of Civil Society Organizations
1 Comment