International Alert, in collaboration with Global Peace Development, is set to build safe spaces for victims of Sexual Gender Base Violence (SGBV) in Zikpak, Goska and Dangoma communities of Jema’a Local Government Areas in Kaduna state.
Speaking in a ‘Thank You Visit’ to the communities that donated the land for the projects, the Senior Project Officer at International Alert in Kaduna state, Sunday Jimoh, said besides counselling and psycho-social assistance for victims of SGBV, the spaces will also afford women the opportunity to discuss critical issues that concern them, as well as a referral center for victims of other forms of abuse.
Jimoh, who assured women in Southern Kaduna that there will be increased access to justice and accountability in cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, through establishment of safe spaces, added that the project, which is being implemented in Kaduna and Zamfara States, will also be used as skills acquisition centers for women, and he expressed hope that government and other development agencies will see the need to partner with them.
He lauded the community leaders for recognizing the key roles that women play both in their homes and their communities, and willingly donating the lands where the projects will be sited.
Earlier in a remark, the District Head of Kafanchan Kewaye in Zikpak Chiefdom, Mr. Saidu Umar, appreciated the NGOs for the gesture, and added that it will help curb domestic and other forms of violence against especially women.
Also in their separate remarks, the Village Heads of Dangoma and Goska in Nikyob Chiefdom, Alhaji Waje Damina and Austin Kube, also expressed gratitude to the NGOs for the initiative, and said when eventually the centers train women in various trades, it will make them self-reliant.
They expressed optimism that the setting up of safe spaces will help foster peace in homes, as it will avail women open up about issues that affect them in their homes.
They also assured of maximum cooperation in future engagements, in view of the enormous benefits that will be derived by the benefiting communities.
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