Hadiza Balarabe, the deputy governor of Kaduna State, on Sunday commissioned a renovated women and children’s shelter to support victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

The deputy governor said the centre on Katuru Road in Kaduna was fully equipped with modern facilities and would serve as a transit home for children and women subjected to violence and abuse.

Stating that women and children were still abused in society, she said the centre would provide psychosocial, medical, and legal support for victims.

The deputy governor said, “Kaduna State government has taken urgent steps to address the menace of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

“It is pathetic to know that most SGBV victims are women.”

The deputy governor stressed that the state government would ensure that its laws served as a platform to prosecute violators of women and children’s rights. 

According to her, the centre will be operated and managed collaboratively by relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and partners under the supervision of the Office of the Deputy Governor.

In her remarks, Rabi Salisu, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, appreciated the state government for supporting its activities.

Ms Salisu noted that the government, in particular, supported the scale-up on strengthening the legal framework in place for implementation and enforcement of intervention and GBV response to address needs.

She noted that the menace of GBV could not be overemphasised, adding that all hands must be on deck to collectively bring it down to zero. 

(NAN)