Chioma Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State’s wife, has stepped up the state’s zero-tolerance campaign against gender-based and sexual abuse, especially against women.
Inaugurating the Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) in Owerri as the 16-day global campaign to abolish gender-based violence began, Uzodinma made this disclosure.
The Imo First Lady mentioned the sexual assault referral centre (SARC) as a one-stop project that prioritises the needs and rights of sexual assault survivors by providing services like screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, treatment and care for young sex abuse victims, and psychological services in the form of counselling support to an audience of women and other stakeholders interested in eradicating gender-based violence globally in Owerri.
Others, according to Uzodimma, include giving victims access to legal services, housing, general rehabilitation services, as well as providing victims with information and education.
According to her, a group of 36 First Ladies in Nigeria had decided to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in the nation. As a result of their efforts, the GBV mitigation action plan, the GBV coordinating mechanism on the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, and the GBV survivors funds, among other policies, have been adopted.
The wife of the governor of Imo stated that the SARC’s launch represents yet another audacious move by the Nigerian Governors Wives Forum to support sexually abused women in overcoming the trauma that may result from the menace through the Nigeria Governors Wives Against Gender-Based Violence (NGWA-GBV).
Mrs. Uzodimma thanked Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the wife of the former governor of the state of Ekiti, for securing funding for the programme and stating that her office is thrilled to participate in efforts to produce an enduring result in that direction.
Regarding the recently opened Center, Mrs. Uzodimma stated that her office is working to enlist physicians, nurses, psychologists, and attorneys who will provide medical and legal services to the victims.
As she urged religious organizations, Civil Society Organizations, volunteers, and the general public to join the effort to rid society of its ills in line with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s 3R mantra administration, which includes safeguarding the most vulnerable Imo citizens, she thanked other First Ladies for their unwavering support in the fight to end gender-based violence wherever it exists in the nation.
