The Country Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria, Ms. Mofad Saeed, has applauded the Zamfara State Government for its strong commitment to safeguarding the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of its citizens, particularly women and children.
Ms. Saeed gave the commendation during the inauguration of the Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC) at the King Fahad Women and Children Centre in Gusau.
The centre, named after the First Lady, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, was established by the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with UNICEF.
Ms. Mofad Saeed described the initiative as a significant demonstration of the government’s leadership and its dedication to strengthening social protection systems across the state.
“This is another example of the government’s commitment to its people. We are standing in a government owned facility, a hospital built, equipped, and staffed by the state. All the medical, social, and personnel here are government officials. This level of ownership shows sincerity and dedication,” she said.
According to her, the centre would provided a safe, confidential, and stigma-free environment for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, offering medical, psychological, social, and legal support under one roof.
“Sexual violence is a sensitive issue, and survivors often fear stigma. Locating this centre within a hospital gives women, children, and young people the safety to seek help. This model protects dignity and ensures that every citizen has safety, support, and a voice,” Saeed added.
She acknowledged the commitment of Zamfara First Lady, as well as the dedication of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Aisha Anka.
Ms. Saeed reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state in building stronger systems that protect vulnerable groups.
Earlier, the First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, described the commissioning as a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to safeguard the dignity and wellbeing of citizens.
She noted that while women and girls bear the greatest burden of sexual and gender-based violence, men and boys are also victims and must not be overlooked.
“This centre is more than a building, it is a firm response to a problem affecting families across our communities. Every survivor, woman, man, girl, or boy deserves protection, justice, and a safe place to seek help without fear or shame,”
The First Lady also expressed deep appreciation for having the centre named after her, describing it as a reminder of her responsibility to continue advocating for vulnerable groups.
She called on government institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, and families to unite in combating sexual and gender-based violence.
In the course of her visit, the UNICEF Country Representative also inspected several health and nutrition facilities, including the Nutrition and Commodity Warehouse, the Stabilisation Centre for severe acute malnutrition, and Dr. Karima Primary Healthcare Centre.
At the Nutrition and other commodities warehouse, she interacted with health staff including directors from the ministry of health and made significant highlight on things that had to do with proper monitoring, supervision and evaluation of nutrition products to ensure it reaches the beneficiaries
At Dr. Karima PHC, she interacted with caregivers on condition of their children, prompting the need for parents to ensure they source local foods that are balanced diets to ensure survival and safety of their children against malnutrition.
She also advocated for Parents to ensure exclusive breastfeeding at least for 2 years to new borns to have enough nutrients in their body to enhance growth and development
Further more, she also handed over School-in-a-box to the governors wife as a gesture of commitment on reducing out of school children in bid to push for retention of children
Additionally, the UNICEF team had paid a visit to the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Mani Malam Mumini, where they jointly launched the Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strategy, signed key partnership documents, and witnessed the extension of the Health and Social Insurance Scheme in the state.
Similarly, In a meeting with the Deputy Governor she handed over Mama kits to the state in a bid to prosper safe and sound delivery for women in primary healthcare centers in the state and to encourage skilled birth in approved facilities.
