UNFPA Supports Establishment of 29 Women & Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS)

UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says it has supported the establishment of 29 Women & Girls Friendly/Safe Spaces (WGSS) between 2015 and 2020 in Borno aimed at offering Integrated Sexual Reproductive Health and GBV Services in the state.

Hajiya Kori Habib, Media Associate, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Habib said that the facilities were established to contain the increase in the cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in North Eastern part of Nigeria.

“This includes the 10 new WGSS funded by KOICA in 2018. One of the many consequences of the conflict and insecurity that have ridden the north-eastern part of Nigeria for the last decade is an increase in GBV cases,” she said.

Habib explained that Humanitarian emergencies, as well as interventions could compound existing risks by increasing the power imbalances between men and women.

She noted that they had the capability of exacerbating GBV, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) as well as unmet reproductive health needs.

According to her, to address these multifaceted challenges, the UNFPA adopts the use of safe spaces to provide Integrated SRH/GBV services in a confidential, personal,respectful and culturally sensitive manner.

Habib added: “In a manner void of bias, conflict, or potentially threatening actions, ideas or conversations; this allows individuals to build a sense of connection and belonging within their gender.”

She emphasised the benefit of safe spaces as being able to reduce the social isolation or fear of stigmatization they experience, gain empowerment skills which was vital in referring them to appropriate resources and programming.