Activists and stakeholders have lamented the shortage of shelters for women and girls who are victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
Betty Abah, Executive Director of CEE-HOPE, and other stakeholders expressed their displeasure at the limited shelters in the country during the commissioning of Hearts of Hope Shelter, a home to provide temporary shelter, counseling support and empowerment for affected women and girls.
Abah who is the founder of the shelter while speaking called on governments at all levels to take the need for setting up of shelters as a major priority.
“Do you know that Canada has over 400 women’s shelters, the United Kingdom has more than 300 (and this is different from homeless and animal shelters). When you compare the fact that Nigeria has a population of about 200million compared to Canada’s 37 million and the UK’s 66 million and the fact that GBV is much more prevalent here (albeit with our weak law enforcement climate) but we can only boast of less than 20 shelters, then you know that we really have to be worried.
“This therefore is a screaming clarion call to our government at the various levels, private institutions and public-spirited individuals to take the need for setting up of shelters as a major priority,” she said.
