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The First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq has on commissioned the Ajike Sexual Assault Referral Center located within the premises of Kwara State General Hospital Ilorin.
Ambassador Abdulrazaq at the event noted that the spike in incidents of sexual and gender-based violence during the lockdown occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 informed the declaration of a state of emergency on SGBV which necessitated the adoption of a state of emergency by Governors across the States of the Federation.
To consolidate on the gains recorded Ambassador Abdulrazaq noted that centres like this become imperative to provide support and care to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
She shared her commitment to ensuring that the other designated SARCs within the Civil Service Clinic and Children Specialist Hospital would be further equiped for enhanced operations in the New Year while the same will be replicated in the 16 Local government areas of the State.
Ambassador Abdulrazaq commended the Governor 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, set up by the Governor and which she chaired, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Health, Justice, 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 neighbours to eschew all manners of violence and encourage victims to speak out as this is deemed a veritable way to start their healing process, while assuring that no stone would be left unturned to end incidents of gender-based violence and bring succour 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 next phase of the operation of the SARC centre would be done when the operational plan of the SARac is shared with the Foundation. She stated that the sexual assault referral was named after the First Lady and her good works.
The commissioning was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, Top Government Functionaries, Traditional and Religious leaders and members of Civil Society Organizations
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