WHO supports Yobe train seven CSOs fight GBV, meningitis
By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has partnered with Yobe State government to train members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to prevent and respond to sexual assault and meningitis.
According to the Organisation, the eight-week training is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).
Declaring the training session on Friday in Damaturu, the State Coordinator of WHO, represented by Organisation’s Technical Officer, Inigbehe Oyinloye, disclosed: “The 20 participants from the seven CSOs; are to be engaged in Fika, Potiskum, Nangere, Nguru, Bade and Damaturu local councils.
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“The capacity building is to increase awareness on GBV, its consequences, and the role of health workers in supporting survivors,” he said, as well as to break the culture of silence.
He charged them to address the stigmatization of the survivors of GBV in the various communities.
Besides, Oyinloye added: “The participants are to raise awareness of preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in the state.
She explained that the training will also be integrated with key messages of meningitis to increase awareness in the targeted Local Government Areas.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawan Gana, represented by the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services, Abdullahi Danchuwa; who doubles as Chairman, Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), disclosed that over 1, 000 cases of GBV were recorded in 2023..
“The State government has zero tolerance for GBV and we will continue to partner with WHO to reduce cases of GBV in the various communities.
He, therefore, tasked them to discharge their responsibilities of sustaining the fight against GBV and meningitis among children.
According to him; “The commencement of training was in response to the State’s request during the WHO’s 13th Joint Operations Review (JOR) meeting held in Yola, Adamawa state.”
