Stakeholders across Taraba State have intensified calls for the establishment of sexual assault response centres in the state’s three senatorial districts, describing the move as critical to strengthening support systems for survivors of sexual and gender based violence.
Key Highlights:
- Stakeholders urged Taraba State to establish Sexual Assault Response Centres in all three senatorial districts.
- They said the centres would provide medical care, counselling, forensic, and legal support for SGBV survivors.
- The call was made at an LSDF and Ministry of Health policy review workshop in Jalingo.
- LSDF appealed for the rehabilitation of the state’s existing but inactive sexual assault centre.
- State health officials pledged continued support for stronger responses to gender-based violence.
The appeal was made during a 3- day policy review and validation workshop organised by the Life Spring Development Foundation (LSDF), in collaboration with the Taraba State Ministry of Health in Jalingo.
Participants, drawn from civil society organisations, women’s groups, security agencies, the media, and the health sector, expressed concern over what they described as the growing incidence of sexual and gender-based violence in the state.
They noted that the absence of dedicated sexual assault response centres has continued to deny many survivors timely access to medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, forensic services, and justice.
Representatives of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), civil society organisations, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), security agencies, media practitioners, and healthcare professionals unanimously urged the Taraba State government to establish functional sexual assault response centres across the state’s three senatorial zones.
According to the stakeholders, the proposed centres would provide survivors with immediate medical treatment, counselling, forensic examination, legal support, and referral services within a safe, confidential, and survivor-centred environment.
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They also stressed that the centres would improve coordination among healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, legal practitioners, and social welfare officers, thereby strengthening the state’s institutional response to gender-based violence.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with the state government and development partners to ensure survivors receive adequate protection, justice, and comprehensive support.
They expressed optimism that establishing the centres would not only improve access to essential services but also enhance accountability for perpetrators and contribute significantly to reducing the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence across Taraba State.
Speaking during the workshop, the Country Director of the Life Spring Development Foundation, Dr. David Ebodaghe, represented by Dr. Ojukwu Mark Ojukwu, said the meeting was convened to review the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and the Safe Termination of Pregnancy Guidelines.
He described the two policy instruments as critical to strengthening comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services in Nigeria.
According to him, the intervention is supported by the federal government through the sector-wide approach coordination office of the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state governments, and implementing partners.
Dr. Ojukwu observed that incidents of gender-based violence remain alarmingly high in Taraba State and called on the government to rehabilitate the sexual assault centre previously established at the state specialist hospital to restore access to critical services for survivors.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukura, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for the ongoing reforms in the state’s health sector.
He expressed confidence that the administration would establish a new sexual assault response centre to provide comprehensive medical, psychosocial, and legal services for survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality and strengthening reproductive healthcare through evidence-based policies and standardised clinical practices.
He also appreciated the contributions of the Life Spring Development Foundation, professional associations, civil society organisations, reproductive health experts, religious and traditional leaders, as well as ministries, departments, and agencies for their sustained commitment to improving healthcare delivery and the overall well-being of residents of the state.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen policies and institutional frameworks aimed at addressing sexual and gender-based violence while improving reproductive health outcomes across Taraba State.
For many participants, the establishment of sexual assault response centres is no longer merely a policy recommendation but an urgent necessity to ensure that survivors receive timely care, protection, and justice, while reinforcing the state’s broader commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
