The Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to operationalising four additional Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the state by the end of 2025.
This initiative aims to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through the establishment of new centres in each of the four Emirates in Kebbi State.
The Secretary of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on GBV in Kebbi, Nasiru Idris provided the update in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.
Idris explained that the initiative followed a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, chaired by the governor’s wife, Zainab Nasir-Idris, who also serves as Chairperson of the TWG on GBV.
He noted that the meeting was attended by key government officials, consultants, and sectoral leaders, who discussed strategies for training SARC personnel and enhancing social work services across the state.
“I thank all participants and reaffirm my commitment to ensuring the new SARCs are fully operational before the end of 2025,” Nasiru Idris stated.
The governor’s wife also emphasised the importance of grassroots accessibility and inter-ministerial collaboration. She called for sustained media engagement to raise public awareness on GBV prevention and reporting.
Additionally, she underscored the need to educate the public on survivors’ rights and the legal consequences for perpetrators.
In her opening remarks, the Lead Consultant from Pearl Services Ltd, Amina Ibrahim-Bamalli commended the state government for its leadership in GBV programming in Northwestern Nigeria. She highlighted the crucial role of social workers in helping survivors cope with trauma and suggested the establishment of skill acquisition centres to support survivors’ economic independence.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Women Affairs, Dr. Suwaiba Salihu, stressed the need for the SARCs to be fully equipped.
In response, stakeholders were reassured that consultations with non-governmental organisations were ongoing to ensure adequate resource mobilisation for the centres’ operational readiness.
Further solidifying the state’s coordinated approach, A’ishatu Abbas, Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, announced the upcoming formation of a multi-stakeholder committee to oversee the implementation of GBV policies.
The Director and Medical Consultant at the Maitalle Tara SARC in Kalgo, Dr. Nura Mohammed-Kangiwa provided insights into the operational requirements for each centre.
Rafa’atu Hammani, former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Basic Education, reiterated the importance of robust social services and strong support systems to enhance community well-being.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, A’ishatu Maikurata pledged to ensure that social work training reaches the grassroots level.
She expressed her commitment to improving access to such training, especially in rural areas where most GBV cases occur due to lack of awareness.
