By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality care and strengthening response mechanisms for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs.) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, made this known during a monitoring and evaluation exercise at the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) located at the State University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, and Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado.
She explained that the centres were established by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in partnership with the Office of the First Lady, Amb. Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, to provide free medical, emotional, and psychosocial support for SGBV survivors.
She noted that the ongoing evaluation would assess the quality of services provided for survivors and identify areas for improvement to ensure more targeted interventions.
She also highlighted the importance of continuous collaboration with stakeholders, adding that the state government would intensify capacity-building and advanced training for SARC staff, particularly in data collection, case management, and reporting.
During her visit to the Vocational Centre in Iludun Oro, Chief (Mrs.) Afolashade emphasised the need for stronger synergy between the federal and state governments to enhance the centre’s contribution to poverty reduction, economic empowerment, and social development.
According to her, the establishment of the centre aims to equip individuals with practical skills for gainful employment, create a skilled workforce across various trades, and promote confidence and self-reliance among beneficiaries.
The Principal of the Vocational Centre, Ven. Ola-Vincent Akindumitire, commended the state government for its sustained support but appealed for renovation and additional staffing to enable the centre to accommodate more youths seeking vocational training.
He noted that such interventions would help the centre expand its training capacity and empower more young people to become self-sufficient.
