Officially opened today in Nzeng-Ayong a district of Libreville, this centre aims to welcome and assist all victims (male and female) of gender-based violence, regardless of sex, age, ethnicity or social class. It will also support victims in their rights and their ability to access particular services.
Initiated by Gabon-Égalité (Gabon-Equality), the centre’s project is part of the 33 measures proposed by Mrs Sylvia BONGO ONDIMBA in a report submitted to the President of the Republic on 30 September 2021. And, reducing gender inequality, eliminating violence, and creating a safe place for all these victims were among the major concerns.
With a capacity of 90 victims and 60 children, the above-mentioned centre has a total of 154 beds. It is open every day and has a national emergency helpline, 1404, which automatically records the first information provided by the victim. The Centre offers several services, such as an infirmary, a social service, psychologists, legal advisors, legal assistants and police officers, for an optimal and adequate assistance.
Accommodations are necessary for extreme cases, such as physically abused people who must be immediately removed from the household. Furthermore, the care process takes into account children who witnessed violence in some families, for psychological follow-up.
“All types of violence are taken into account, as some cannot be excluded,” says Mrs Betty ABAGHE MESSI, Director of the structure. “In the long-term, the intention is to provide vocational, but also leadership and personal development training to empower these victims,” she added.
The authors of this project wish to make efforts to build other centres in the countryside. It is important to underline that Gabon, a leading country, is the first on the continental level to implement such a programme.
