The Coordinator in the Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesiri Anani, has stated that most victims of violent attacks are women, while the majority of perpetrators are men.
She stressed the need to understand this gender pattern as a crucial step toward effective prevention and intervention, urging residents to educate themselves on the root causes of violence against women and girls.
Mrs. Anani made the remarks while commissioning the Edo State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Centre in Uromi, Edo State.
The facility, established by the state government in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners, is designed to provide comprehensive support to GBV survivors and will serve as a one-stop hub for related services in Edo Central Senatorial District.
Speaking on the effects of violence on women and girls, she reiterated that no circumstance excuses violent behaviour and called for stronger collaboration between men and women to address the problem.
Mrs. Anani added that gender-based violence destroys families and slows societal progress, but collective action and compassion can help survivors rebuild. According to her, the new centre will offer shelter, legal assistance, counselling, and economic empowerment opportunities to support survivors’ right to live free from fear and harm.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Irenosen Ihensekhien commended stakeholders for their support. She explained that the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) will provide medical care, psychosocial support, investigation, legal guidance and referral services to ensure survivors do not navigate their recovery alone.
In her remarks, the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Demanche, represented by the IOM Head of the South-West and South-South Region, Ali Ibrahim said the commissioning aligns with the global 16 Days of Activism campaign focused on ending digital violence against women and girls. Citing UN statistics that one in three women experience physical or sexual violence, he reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting migrant protection efforts in Nigeria.
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff, whose speech was delivered by IOM Senior Project Assistant, Barr. Aigbeze Uhimwen noted that the centre will help provide safety, dignity and essential services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, adding that the initiative forms part of a Swiss-funded project aimed at combating human trafficking in Nigeria, strengthening protection systems and enhancing prosecution through capacity-building for legal and protection officers.
