UNICEF Donates Medical Equipment To Osun Sexual Assault Referral Centre
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday, donated millions of naira worth of medical equipment to the Osun State Sexual Assault Referral (SUCCOUR) centre at Asubiaro Specialist State Hospital, Osogbo.
Speaking during the official handing over of the equipment facilitated by a non-profit organisation, Value Female Network, UNICEF Protection Manager, Mona Aika, said the gesture was extended to ensure that survivors of gender based violence are well taken care of.
Aika said UNICEF is implementing the Positive Parenting Programme, which helps parents and caregivers raise children with empathy, understanding, and non-violent discipline.
She also noted that the agency is working closely with the state government to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Aika said, “Together, we are challenging harmful practices, raising awareness, and supporting communities to protect girls from a violation that has no place in their future. This work, like Positive Parenting and the SARC, is part of one vision: a safer Osun for every child.
“Facilities and programmes can only succeed when communities embrace them – and we have seen here in Osun the willingness of parents, caregivers, leaders, and young people to work together in building a safer state for every child.
“Together, we are challenging harmful practices, raising awareness, and supporting communities to protect girls from a violation that has no place in their future. This work, like Positive Parenting and the SARC, is part of one vision: a safer Osun for every child.”
Aika while commending the state government, said justice must be served to survivors of gender based violence.
“First, justice must be served – survivors must see their cases pursued to conclusion. Second, the Centre must be regularly monitored, with strong data management to improve and adapt its services over time. Third, it must ensure inclusive access, with deliberate measures to serve survivors with disabilities, so no one is left behind,” she added.
READ ALSO
•Alleged Defamation: Police Demand N500,000 To Release OSUN DEFENDER Editor On Bail
•
The Executive Director,
Value Female Network Africa, Dr Costly Aderibigbe-Saba, said as a survivor of female genital mutilation myself, her life’s mission was to ensure that women and girls live free from violence and grow up safe, empowered, and protected.
Aderibigbe-Saba, who said the organisation has been at the forefront of protecting women and children through various initiatives, urged stakeholders to come together and ensure a violence-free state.
She said, “Through UNICEF’s support via VFN, this facility has undergone renovation (including plumbing, generator repairs, electrical works, and painting), procurement of equipment, capacity building for first responders, and strengthening of state monitoring and evaluation systems through the Child Protection Information Management System (Primero CPIMS).
“In the coming days, with UNICEF’s support, VFN will work with the Osun State Government to deliver high-quality, inclusive training for first responders across all six zones of the state, covering the three core ministries.”
In his remarks, the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Barr. Jola Akintola, said the donated equipment will provide assistance to victims of gender based violence in the state.
Adeleke said the state is
collaborating with relevant agencies to ensure comprehensive management of the victims who are to be attended to at the Centre.
The governor urged “other partners and well-meaning individuals to follow the noble example of UNICEF and VFN to also contribute to the sustenance of this SUCCOUR centre.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
