Kebbi State Government has trained some key staff and survivors of Sexual and Gender-based Violence, with a view to improving their care, as well as facilitate synergy.
The training held with support from the office of the Wife of the Executive Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, in collaboration with USAID/IHP.
The training which held in Lagos also aims to boost the capacity of the Maitalle Tara SARC staff to attend comprehensively, to GBV survivors and act in synergy with key stakeholders.
The trainers for the program were drawn from WARIF (Women at risk international foundation), Lagos.
The organisation was carefully selected due to its track record and over five years of experience on GBV survivor care.
Attendees included Special Advisor to the Executive Governor of Kebbi State on Women Affairs, five SARC Staff (Doctors/Nurses), the Reproductive Health Coordinator, the Judiciary, Police,among tohers.
The topics covered included : Introduction to SARC, myths and stereotypes of rape, history taking and examination, documentation of examination findings and statement writing, effects of rape (physical,social,psychological).
Others were: Courtroom skills, post GBV care,referral pathways/systems and community engagement.
The participants also went for a study tour to the WARIF SARC in Lagos, where they were taken to all the units/sections of the centre and as well carried through their activities and duties.
Sexual and Gender- based Violence (SGBV) is an issue of global concern and interest, coupled with the rising incidence of cases.
The survivors are usually the vulnerable groups that include women and children, just as no age group, gender or economic class is free from the scourge of GBV.
The survivors, hence, require empathy, compassion,privacy,and support, in order to sail through the harrowing experiences, as well as be linked to comprehensive and multi-sectoral care.
With the extensive knowledge and experience on managing and caring for the survivors learnt from this training, it is expected that GBV responses in Kebbi state will be improved.
Participants lauded the state government for passing the VAPP and Child Right Act as well as USAID/IHP for their immense support and hospitality and for ensuring the success of the all-important exercise.
