General News
THE Sexual Offences Awareness Response Initiative (SOAR Initiative). an NGO, has sensitised Junior Secondary School Durumi II, Abuja students to sexual violence, to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.
Mr Levi Yakubu, SOAR Initiative’s Project Officer, coordinated the exercise on Friday in Abuja.
He emphasised the need to protect girls’ rights and ensure a safe environment for them to achieve their dreams.
“We’re working in communities and schools to educate adolescent girls on child sexual abuse, building their capacity to recognise it as a violation of their rights and against the state.”
Most girls, Yakubu noted, are unaware of sexual abuse’s meaning until it happens, and stigma and fear often silence them.
On her part, Mrs Peninah Yemmah, Counsellor and Medical Sociologist, stressed the importance of teaching girls their rights and worth to prevent abuse.
“Sexual abuse thrives in silence; girls must speak up and seek help to avoid depression.”
Also, Temitope Olorode, Vice Principal, commended SOAR Initiative’s empowerment programme.
“Speak up against inappropriate behaviour, avoid compromising situations, and report incidents to school administration,” he said.
Some of the participants identified poverty, sexual abuse, and marginalisation as barriers to achieving greatness.
They appealed for support and a conducive environment to thrive.
Head Girl Praise Okorule, and Assistant Head Girl Zubaida Abdulrahim, told NAN that they had benefitted immensely from the programme.
NAN
Photo Caption: A Section of girls at the SOAR Initiative”s campaign against sexual violence on Friday in JSS Durumi 2, Abuja.
11th October, 2024.
C.E.
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