1 Of Every 3 Women Suffers Violence – Ayade, Commissions Gender Based Response Center In Calabar

By Elijah Ugani; Health Correspondent

The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade has stated that one out of every three women suffers violence.

Dr. Ayade stated this in Calabar the Cross River capital during the commissioning of a gender based response center at the State Ministry of Women Affairs.

According to her, “This center has to be maximally utilized, it will be open to women. One in every three women suffers gender based violence. I am happy because we are one step ahead of the problem. In this Government, when we see a problem, we try to go a step ahead by providing solution and so we are glad to commission this center.

“According to UNFPA, the violence against women is on a high rate. I want to thank UNFPA for supporting this Government. Please take this massage to your Country Representative, your Regional Head and your Executive Director that we are grateful for your support.

“We are passionate about issues of women and that is why we established the Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative CROWEI, and we hope that before the end of the year, we will have a mega empowerment for our women.” The wife of the Cross River State Governor said.

Earlier, the Head of Calabar Office and South-South, Southeast Coordinator of UNFPA, Mr. Kenneth Ehouzou noted that “it is an honor and pleasure to share this day with all women but more especially with women of Cross River State. On behalf of the UN family let me thank you for your interest and for joining us today for the commemoration of the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

“As a member of the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, UNFPA, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency, work in partnership with Government, Ministries and other partners to deliver on this mandate. UNFPA puts special emphasis on protecting women and girl’s human rights in line with its three trans-formative results to be achieved by 2030.

“Gender Based Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights with a significant impact on physical, sexual and reproductive health. The National Demographic Health Survey 2013 indicates that 65.5% of women aged 15-49 years have experienced sexual violence.

“Also 46.5% of women aged 15-49 who have experienced violence never sought help or never told anyone about the violence. These statistics makes it clear that the silence on violence against women and girls must end now.

“It is noteworthy that Cross River State has a number of Gender Based Violence (GBV) related legislations and policies in place, however, the prevalence of GBV had remained high.” Concluding that his NGO will remain committed and called for more partnerships.

The event was held to commemorate 16 days of Active Activism against Gender Based Violence which runs from 25^th November to 10^th December, 2018 which is also the day of the Human Rights.