TheCable

Bisi Fayemi, former first lady of Ekiti state, says states must set up a fund for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

Fayemi spoke on Monday at the launch of the Woman Index report on GBV in Nigeria by Invictus Africa and BudgIT.

The report provides an assessment of the state governments based on their commitments to preventing and responding to GBV.

Fayemi said 35 states including the FCT have passed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act or at least have legislation to protect women.

She said the development is evidence that the June 2020 GBV state of emergency declared by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has produced results.

She, however, added that funding for sexual and gender-based violence interventions needs to be sustained and scaled up as there can be no effective response without resources.

“There are currently at least 40 sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in 22 states in Nigeria and two in the FCT. Every state in the country needs a SARC, ideally more than one,” she said.

“Every state needs a shelter. It is important for state governments to take up this responsibility, regardless of whether there is donor funding available or not.

“GBV survivors also need support to enable them to make empowering choices. This is why we need a GBV Survivors’ Fund to make this happen.”

Fayemi also called for investments in mental health infrastructure to adequately empower GBV survivors.