As part of global effort on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, staff of the Ogun State Assault Referral Centers (SARC) and Gender Officers in the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, have been trained to equip them with the necessary skills to manage the centres effectively and provide critical support to survivours of GBV.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Adejumoke Adewole, while declaring open the 5-day training programme, organised by Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) in conjunction with the ministry, at OPIC Towers, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, described the initiative as timely and pivotal in addressing GBV issues.
Mrs. Adewole underscored the state government’s commitment to safeguarding survivours and ensuring that GBV issues were treated with professional and compassionate responses, stating that the training was in line with the global call to action.
She further emphasised the significance of the campaign, which began on Monday, November 25, 2024, with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to Tuesday, 10 December, 2024, for the celebration of Human Rights Day, urging the participants to take advantage of the training to get more insight on the management of SARCs.
On her part, OGSTEP Project Coordinator, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi, stated that the four Sexual Assault Referral Centers located in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode and Ilaro had been rehabilitated, by the state government through the World Bank-assisted project, OGSTEP.
Represented by the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, OGSTEP, Dr. Abiodun Adeeko, commended the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Project Gender Specialist and participants for their dedication at fostering a safer and more inclusive society through capacity building initiatives.
In her contributions, Gender Specialist, OGSTEP, Mrs. Ewajesu Fasina, noted that the training was a crucial step in strengthening the operational capacity of SARCs and ensuring that survivours met with professional and trauma-informed care, saying, “Empowering the first responders and stakeholders is part of OGSTEP’s broader mandate to foster sustainable development and safeguard vulnerable groups”.
In her presentation, one of the facilitators, Damilola Onebamhoin, said participants should be able to provide trauma-informed care, legal frameworks, case management, data privacy procedures, medical examination/forensic evidence collection and referral protocols, among other areas.
Two of the participants, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Orelaja and Mr. Idowu Daramola expressed optimism that the training would enhance their capacity to deliver efficient services and create a safer environment for survivours in the state.
OGSTEP trains SARC staff, gender officers on efficient handling of GBV issues
