Ebonyi Govt Approves Shelter For GBV Survivors

Ebonyi state government has approved shelter for Gender Based Violence, (GBV) survivors in the state.

The Special Assistant to the governor on Gender Based Violence,(GBV), MaryAnn Ekwutosia Nkwegu made this known to newsmen when she visited the center with team of taskforce for baseline assessment of the shelter situated at Unity Square Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital. According to the Special Assistant,Miss Nkwegu said that the shelter located inside the Unity Square Abakaliki has been approved by the governor to serve as centre for rehabilitation , legal, and medical support for Gender Based Violence victims across the thirteen local Government Areas in Ebonyi state. She applauded the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru for his human interest disposition adding that the establishment of the center would help curtain cases of deaths and damages recorded in recent time. Nkwegu noted that Ebonyi is the first state in the country to have a functional GBV shelter and called on men who are passing through any form of gender violence to report to the center for medical and other assistance. The state Coordinator ,Gender Based Violence Taskforce, and Director, Sexual Assault and Gender Based Violence Response Department in the ministry of Justice, Barr. Faithvin Nwanchor explained that the team has been on advocacy in different parts of the state adding that the team had interfaced with stakeholders in different communities of the state and described the approval of the shelter as timely. She, however, emphasized the need for men to take advantage of the center to tell their story adding that violence is not peculiar to female gender alone as no blame could be lay to anybody found in the condition of being violated. Nwanchor who expressed delight for the plan to the implementation of VAAP law urged the state government to make budgetary allocation for the sustenance of the center. On their part, Mrs Goodness Mgbaja, the Public Relation Officer of Ebonyi state GBV Taskforce and Mr Nweke Emmanuel, of Women and Children Department, Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution enjoined men to summon courage and report their cases as opening up would help them to gain attention as well be guided on how best to react and relate with children and women.