Health
IOM, Edo inaugurates Gender-Based Violence referral centre in Uromi to bolster survivor support
Written By: Editor
20 Nov 2025 11:32 AM
Uromi, Edo – In a significant step towards combating gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has partnered with the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs to commission a state-of-the-art Gender-Based Violence Sexual Assault Referral Centre (GBV SARC) in Uromi, the headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area.
The facility, funded by the Government of Switzerland under the project “Strengthening Protection and Prosecutorial Response to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria,” was officially unveiled on Tuesday amid ceremony attended by dignitaries, community leaders, and survivors' advocates.
Leading the commissioning was Mrs. Edesiri Okpebholo Anani, the Edo State First Lady and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, who emphasized the centre's role in bridging critical service gaps.
“The commissioning of the Uromi SARC demonstrates our resolve to protect women and girls across Edo State. It will strengthen our fight against gender-based violence and trafficking. The centre will not only provide immediate assistance but also promote resilience and safer reintegration for returnees and survivors,” Mrs. Anani stated.
IOM's Lagos Head of Office for Migrant Protection and Assistance, Ali Ibrahim Ali, described the centre as “more than a building; it is a lifeline for survivors of violence. By bringing services closer to vulnerable communities, we are reaffirming our commitment to dignity, justice, and protection.”
The new centre offers comprehensive, survivor-centered services, including immediate medical care, psychosocial counseling, legal aid, and seamless referrals to specialized support networks.
It complements the existing Vivian Centre in Benin City, which has been operational since 2020 but primarily serves the Edo South senatorial district, leaving residents in the more remote Edo Central and North areas underserved.
Edo State remains a hotspot for human trafficking, with reports indicating that 60% of Nigerian women trafficked abroad for sexual exploitation originate from the region. The Uromi SARC aims to address this by enhancing community resilience through tailored psychosocial interventions, livelihood training programs, and prevention initiatives to reduce the risk of re-trafficking.
The launch comes on the eve of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, underscoring the urgency of coordinated efforts among civil society, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and traditional leaders.
IOM has committed to ongoing capacity-building, technical assistance, and policy advocacy to ensure the centre's sustainability and broader impact on Nigeria's protection systems.
Local residents and stakeholders hailed the initiative as a beacon of hope, with the facility set to open its doors immediately to begin serving vulnerable women, girls, and boys in need.
The facility, funded by the Government of Switzerland under the project “Strengthening Protection and Prosecutorial Response to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria,” was officially unveiled on Tuesday amid ceremony attended by dignitaries, community leaders, and survivors' advocates.
Leading the commissioning was Mrs. Edesiri Okpebholo Anani, the Edo State First Lady and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, who emphasized the centre's role in bridging critical service gaps.
“The commissioning of the Uromi SARC demonstrates our resolve to protect women and girls across Edo State. It will strengthen our fight against gender-based violence and trafficking. The centre will not only provide immediate assistance but also promote resilience and safer reintegration for returnees and survivors,” Mrs. Anani stated.
IOM's Lagos Head of Office for Migrant Protection and Assistance, Ali Ibrahim Ali, described the centre as “more than a building; it is a lifeline for survivors of violence. By bringing services closer to vulnerable communities, we are reaffirming our commitment to dignity, justice, and protection.”
The new centre offers comprehensive, survivor-centered services, including immediate medical care, psychosocial counseling, legal aid, and seamless referrals to specialized support networks.
It complements the existing Vivian Centre in Benin City, which has been operational since 2020 but primarily serves the Edo South senatorial district, leaving residents in the more remote Edo Central and North areas underserved.
Edo State remains a hotspot for human trafficking, with reports indicating that 60% of Nigerian women trafficked abroad for sexual exploitation originate from the region. The Uromi SARC aims to address this by enhancing community resilience through tailored psychosocial interventions, livelihood training programs, and prevention initiatives to reduce the risk of re-trafficking.
The launch comes on the eve of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, underscoring the urgency of coordinated efforts among civil society, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and traditional leaders.
IOM has committed to ongoing capacity-building, technical assistance, and policy advocacy to ensure the centre's sustainability and broader impact on Nigeria's protection systems.
Local residents and stakeholders hailed the initiative as a beacon of hope, with the facility set to open its doors immediately to begin serving vulnerable women, girls, and boys in need.
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