By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) International Alert, in partnership with Global Peace Development, has moved to increase access to justice and accountability in cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence through the establishment of safe spaces for women.
The NGO’s Senior Project Officer for Kaduna, Mr Sunday Jimoh, made this known during a visit to three communities in Kaduna that have donated plots of land for the establishment of safe spaces.
The News Icon reports that the communities include Zipak, Dangoma and Goska in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Jimoh said the safe spaces will provide counseling and psychological support to survivors of SGBV and also serve as a place where women can come together to discuss issues that affect them.
“This safe space is going to benefit the community city in the sense that it will provide opportunities for women to be able to come together and discuss issues affecting them.
“It would serve also as a first aid center referral for persons that have been assaulted based on gender or other forms of violence,” he added
According to him, the safe spaces could also serve as a center acquisition in the future.
“It could transform into a skills acquisition center in the ure or other things that community members and development partners come up with,” he stated
He thanked the communities for acknowledging the crucial role women play in society by donating the lands for spaces for women to better their lot.
In a remark, the District Head of Kafanchan Kewaye, Malam Saidu Umar, said the project was a welcome development and commended the NGO for the initiative.
Umar noted that the safe spaces will help foster peace in homes as it will allow the opportunity to open up about issues on the home front and find solutions to them.
In their separate remarks, the village heads of Dangoma and Goska, Alhaji Damina Waje and Mr Austin Kube respectively, assured of their respective community’s maximum support towards the successful establishment and running of the safe spaces.
