By Denis E. Inakefe (ANIPR)
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has commissioned the Cross River State One Stop Centre and the Obstetrics Fistula Centre in General Hospital, Calabar, an intervention by the Spotlight Initiative under the coordination of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, in representation of the State governor, expressed satisfaction that Cross River State is among the five states in Nigeria chosen for the Spotlight Initiative interventions in establishing the One-Stop Centre and the Obstetrics Fistula Centre.
Elvert Ayambem reaffirmed Cross River State’s dedication to enacting laws targeting the eradication of gender-based violence. Furthermore, he emphasized the State’s commitment to enforcing these laws, highlighting the government’s support in eliminating the “Money Wife” practice that promotes early forced child marriages in certain communities as a significant aspect of reducing harmful practices.
Ayambem commended the Spotlight Initiative in partnership with the European Union and the UN System for their support in the establishment of the Obstetric Fistula Centre and the Gender-Based Violence One–Stop Centre, and encouraged the European Union and the UN System not to relent in their efforts and support to the State. He assured the State Government’s commitment to strengthening facilities as Spotlight Initiative Handovers Center to the State, noting that “it will only get better in our hands.”
The National Coordinator, of Spotlight Initiative, Anu Varghese John, commended the Cross River State Government for their dedication to passing and enforcing legislation supporting the Spotlight Initiative. The main objective of the initiative is to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence and harmful practices in Cross River State while promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights services.
Anu Varghese John also emphasized the significance of the Spotlight Initiative in the state, highlighting the passage and execution of laws aimed at eradicating gender-based violence, as well as the establishment of the Cross River State One Stop Centre and the Obstetrics Fistula Centre. These accomplishments, according to her, are just the beginning.
In addition, Anu Varghese John, praised the key participants in Cross River State for their efforts in abolishing forced marriages, a major concern identified by the United Nations for eradication. She assured the Cross River Government of their ongoing support.
