The Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) has partnered with the Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), to enhance justice sysyem and improve the wellbeing of survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.
The founder, WARIF, Dr. Kemi DaSilva Ibru, at the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony, in Lagos, said one in four females experience sexual violence in childhood with approximately 70 per cent reporting more than one incident of sexual violence.
In addressing the needs of a survivor, WARIF looks at major aspects, like her medical needs; counseling;welfare, which could come in form of housing, finance and legal aid.
“When you look at the survivor and her needs, the major aspect beyond this medical attention is justice. When a survivor is attacked, when she’s physically violated, when she’s emotionally violated, she wants justice. She wants the person that’s perpetrating this act to be held accountable.
As an organization, we pay attention to survivor’s legal need. The first thing that needs to be established is a forensic medical examination on the survivor as the burden of proof falls on her and her team to show that this act of violence has occurred, when it comes to the judicial system.
“The one irrefutable proof that we have is science. So if we’re able to show through forensic medical examination retrieval of the important specimens and being able to confirm through DNA detection who the alleged perpetrator is, then it’s a done deal. Going through the judicial system would be a formality because the perpetrator would already have been identified. So forensic medical examination is a critical part of the services that we offer at WARIF Center,” she explained.
The challenge, however, is that WARIF Center is among the few Centers that offer these services, coupled with the fact that there is a dearth of skilled health care personnel trained in obtaining information and the necessary evidence needed to prosecute perpetrators in these cases, the founder said. This often limits the survivor’s access to justice as well as the ability to access medical and psychological treatment and care, she added.
In bridging this gap, The WARIF Forensic Medical Examination Awareness initiative through the Adopt-A-Healthcare- Facility Program (ADHFP) by PSHAN, seeks to sensitize health care personnel on the fundamentals and importance of obtaining the necessary information in carrying out Forensic Medical Examination as part of the post-incident care to survivors. PSHAN through the ADHFP, serves as a catalyst to improving healthcare outcomes at the primary care level with the revitalization of PHCs across communities and local governments in Nigeria and positioning them to deliver standardized and quality healthcare services to their environs. In filling the gap in the development of a healthcare force with capacity building skills to become first responders to cases of SGBV at the grassroots level.
The impact of the initiative can be seen in improved knowledge base as well as the documentation and reporting of SGBV cases among healthcare workers in ADHFP-revitalized PHCs; an increase the sensitivity, empathy and compassion toward SGBV survivors among HCWs in ADHFP-revitalized PHCs; an empowered survivor who can now seek and access services through these health careproviders in their communities and an increase in the number of survivors seen at specialized SARC like the WARIF Centre through referrals from the PHCS. The program which commenced in March till July 2024, was held in 3 states and I am proud to say that sessions have already been successfully carried out in one PHC in Delta; five PHCs in Rivers and four PHCs in Edo.
DaSilva however applauded PSHAN for the partnership, while hoping that the program will be implemented in other PHCs adopted by PSHAN across Nigeria, thereby ensuring that all survivors can access this vital time sensitive post-incident examination directly and as quickly as possible, in their PHCS.
In her remarks, the MD/CEO, PSHAN, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, said the collaboration between PSHAN and WARIF marks a significant step in the organization shared commitment to improving health outcomes and addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
Akinbolagbe said the ADHFP is at the heart of PSHAN’s efforts to catalyze improvements in primary healthcare, adding that, “Our mission is to revitalize Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across Nigeria, ensuring they provide standardized and high-quality services. This initiative directly impacts reproductive, maternal, and child health, creating healthier communities and empowers women and girls to lead better lives.
“This partnership between PSHAN and WARIF combines our strengths to provide comprehensive support systems that address GBV and enhance healthcare delivery. Our joint initiatives, including forensic training and community-based awareness programs, will ensure that victims receive the care and justice they deserve, while also working towards preventing such incidents in the future. Together, we will make significant strides in addressing gender-based violence and improving healthcare delivery for women, girls, and communities across Nigeria,” she assured.
