As part of activities marking the 16-day global campaign against
Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Ekiti State, Governor Kayode Fayemi on
Wednesday inaugurated a new edifice to permanently serve as Sexual
Assault Referral Centre (Moremi Clinic) for victims of GBV in the
State.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Moremi Clinic situated within the
premises of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH)
complex, Dr Fayemi explained that the inauguration of the referral
Centre at a time the World was marking campaign against GBV speaks to
his administration’s commitment to global best practices in the
promotion and protection of women’s rights in the State.
The Moremi Clinic, which according to the Governor was the outcome of
the efforts of the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Committee
chaired by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, would provide free medical,
legal and other supports that would guarantee justice and survivor of
sexual violence victims.
In addition, Dr Fayemi said the clinic has a rapid response team,
medical team, counselling team, legal team, police team and community
outreach team as its component operational structure for effective
service delivery to victims.
The Governor, who observed that one in every three women would be
raped, beaten and coerced into sex or abused in her lifetime, urged
victims of sexual assaults to speak out and report to designated
authorities. He noted that Ekiti had strong legal framework that
protects and promotes the rights of women and the girl child in the
State.
Fayemi said; “I am pleased to note that this event is taking place at
the onset of the annual Global 16 Days Campaign Against Gender Based
Violence that runs from November 25th-December 10th. This is another
example of ways in which Ekiti is keen on demonstrating global best
practices in the promotion and protection of the rights of women.
“Violence against women and girls is the most pervasive human rights
abuse in the world, affecting every society, Ekiti state inclusive,
and its negative impact is borne not only by the victim and her
immediate family, but by the entire community.
”It is our duty to continue to seek out ways to support victims, which
is why we are here today. The Moremi Clinic being commissioned today
is Ekiti State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which is a
free, one-stop, survivor-centred facility that prioritises the rights
and needs of survivors of sexual violence, and is the outcome of
efforts by the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee
- the body responsible for implementing the 2019 GBV Law in Ekiti
State.
“The Moremi Clinic (Ekiti State Sexual Assault Referral Centre) will
provide the following free services; Screening and preventive
treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, Collection and
processing of forensic evidence, Support for going through the legal
process, Providing a medico-legal report for diligent prosecution,
Treatment and care of child victims of sexual abuse, Collection and
management of relevant data, Counselling and psycho-social support,
Information, support, and counselling for parents, family members, and
partners, Education and information for community or professional
groups.”
Earlier the Wife of the Governor and Chairperson, Ekiti State GBV
Committee, Erelu Bisi Fayemi said the launch of the referral centre
was in demonstration of Dr Fayemi’s strong political will in tackling
gender based pandemic in the State.
Mrs Fayemi who had on the 23rd of June commissioned a temporary site
for Moremi Clinic said, “The woman and children and probably men who
come here will enter this centre as victim, they will however leave as
survivor because this place exist to provide a full range support to
those who experienced various form of sexual assaults.”
The Ekiti State First Lady also commended those who had been of
support to the Gender Based Committee, particularly the late Barrister
Seyi Ojo who was the Legal Counsel in the Ministry of Justice and
Coordinator of the Gender and Vulnerable Persons Unit in the Office of
the Wife of the Governor.
Also in his address, the Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Prof.
Kayode Oyebanji disclosed that about 40 survivors of sexual assault
had been successfully attended to since the inception of the clinic in
June, 2020.
He explained that the medical team that formed parts of the referral
centre was made up of Gynaecologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists,
Nurses, Medical social workers and clinical psychologists to provide
specialized and holistic care for survivor of sexual assaults.
The inauguration was witnessed by the Speaker, Ekiti State House of
Assembly, Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye, Attorney General and Commissioner
for Justice, Hon Wale Fapounhunda, Commissioner for Women Affausr and
Social development, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade; Members of the State
Executive Council, members of the state house of Assembly, Market
Women, civil Society Groups.
