By Editor
In a significant step toward strengthening protection and support services for vulnerable persons in Kebbi State, the Ministry of Women Affairs has officially handed over the full administration and management of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Shelter to the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Gender-Based Violence.
The handover, which took place on Monday, June 15, 2026, was carried out under the directive of Her Excellency, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Kauran Gwandu, the First Lady of Kebbi State and Chairperson of the Technical Working Group on GBV.
The GBV Shelter, widely regarded as a long-awaited intervention in the state, represents a major milestone in efforts to provide protection, care, and rehabilitation services for survivors of gender-based violence and other vulnerable individuals. As the first facility of its kind in Kebbi State, the shelter is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the needs of those facing various forms of abuse, neglect, displacement, and social vulnerability.
According to Comrade Nasiru Idris, State Coordinator of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Kebbi State Office, and Secretary of the TWG on GBV, the shelter will serve as a temporary safe haven for survivors and vulnerable persons, offering protection, psychosocial support, counselling, and other essential services before they are safely reunited with their families or integrated into appropriate support systems.
Individuals who may require temporary accommodation at the shelter include survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, child abuse, forced marriage, human trafficking, abandonment, family disputes, marital conflicts, emotional abuse, neglect, and other situations that place their safety, well-being, or dignity at risk. The facility will also support vulnerable women, children, and other individuals requiring urgent protection and assistance during periods of crisis.
The shelter is expected to contribute significantly to alleviating psychosocial trauma and providing a pathway to recovery for individuals experiencing distressing circumstances. Through professional care, counselling, and coordinated support services, beneficiaries will be assisted in rebuilding their confidence and reintegrating into society.
The Technical Working Group on GBV expressed optimism that government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, community groups, and individuals will make effective and responsible use of the shelter’s services. It is hoped that the facility will become a vital resource in addressing many of the social and family-related challenges faced by vulnerable members of society.
The group also used the occasion to express profound appreciation to Her Excellency, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Kauran Gwandu, whose vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment were instrumental in the establishment of the shelter. The initiative is widely regarded as another remarkable achievement under the administration of His Excellency, Comrade Nasiru Idris Kauran Gwandu, Executive Governor of Kebbi State, whose government has continued to create an enabling environment for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and protection of citizens.
Furthermore, special recognition was extended to the Ministry of Women Affairs for its pivotal role in facilitating the establishment and operationalisation of the shelter. Appreciation was also conveyed to all partner organisations, stakeholders, and individuals whose contributions, support, and collaboration helped bring the project to fruition.
As the shelter begins operations under the management of the Technical Working Group on GBV, stakeholders remain hopeful that it will provide lasting relief, protection, and renewed hope to survivors and vulnerable persons across Kebbi State.
“This shelter is not merely a facility; it is a symbol of compassion, protection, and the collective commitment of Kebbi State to safeguarding the dignity and well-being of its most vulnerable citizens,” said Comrade Nasiru Idris, Secretary of the Technical Working Group on GBV.