The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Yobe state government with support from United States Agency for International Development/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) partner to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), sexual assault and Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
Mrs Sylvia Opinia, the WHO Preventing and Responding to Sexual Assault (PRS) Coordinator said the training was to increase awareness of GBV, its consequences, and the role of health workers in supporting survivors.
Opinia, represented by Dr. Inigbehe Oyinloye, the PRS Technical Officer also said the workshop aimed at creating awareness on prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and its reporting among the communities.
“This capacity building is to increase awareness of GBV, its consequences, and the role of health workers in supporting survivors in the context of meningitis response.
“It also aimed at creating awareness on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PRSEAH) and its reporting among the communities, as well as to break the culture of silence and address the stigmatization of survivors,” she explained.
She added that the training would integrate key messages related to meningitis in order to increase awareness of the CSOs, to be able to communicate same within the affected LGAs of their assignment.
Opinia said the participants cuts across seven recognised CSOs in the state and would be supported to conduct eight weeks of community engagement activities across six selected LGAs of Fika, Potiskum, Nangere, Nguru, Damaturu and Bade.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Lawan Gana said over 1,000 cases of GBV were recorded in the year 2023 alone in the state.
Gana, represented by Abdullahi Danchuwa, the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services said Yobe government had zero tolerance for GBV.
“Yobe state government has zero tolerance for GBV. Therefore, we will continue to partner with you to ensure GBV cases are reduced to its barest minimum.
He commended CSOs, who according to him play a significant role of watching over what happens in the society.
He also urged them to discharge their duties diligently in order to avoid jeopardising their reputation and the successes recorded in the last few years.
