The Government of Ethiopia and UNICEF, inaugurated a one-stop centre (OSC) that provides comprehensive medical, legal, and psychosocial services to victims of gender-based violence (GBV) in a safe environment.
The ceremony was attended by Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia, and representatives from the Amhara regional state.
“Women and children have suffered from an increase in gender-based violence due to the conflict,” said Ergogie Tesfaye. “This has a life-long impact on their physical, sexual and psycho-social well-being. This one-stop centre that we are inaugurating today gives access to a holistic service to survivors to recover from such trauma and reduces the incidences of GBV in the future.”
The centre provides critical medical services including the clinical management of rape, abortion care, emergency contraceptive and treatment for diseases like HIV and sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B. It also provides mental health and psychosocial services as well as legal aid to victims. In addition, it provides referral services including shelter and livelihood support in collaboration with partners.