Health
ABIODUN Essiet Initiative for Girls (AEIG), an NGO, has called for prompt and fast handling of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) related cases to help address the abuse among adolescents in the country.
The Project Officer of the organisation, Ms Josephine Emeghoghena, made the appeal on Wednesday during a Sexual and Gender Based Violence Awareness in Government Secondary School (GSS) at Rubochi, Kuje Area Council of FCT, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the capaign is themed: “Curbing School Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Raising Anti-GBV Ambassadors”.
Emeghoghena said the objective of the awareness was to help in the elimination of gender based violence among the adolescents in FCT schools, through education along with effective advocacy.
According to her, SGBV has become a current pandemic in the society, hence the need for adequate sensitisation and awareness is paramount to help address the challenges.
“The organisation felt there is a need to speak out; this project is going to six schools in the six Area Councils in FCT, to talk to the girls with a short video and pre/post test on gender based violence.
“We will sensitise them to help them know the narrative of various forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence, ranging from rape, spouse battering and domestic violence.
“We will also be inaugurating five SGBV ambassadors who will be helping us to talk about the abuse in schools by sensitising their students and members of their communities.
“This target audience need to be sensitised to become responsible citizens with access to right information, resist violence and any form of abuse or manipulation,” she said.
However, she also called on the general public to galvanise the policy makers and stakeholders to support in tackling GBV and drug abuse in the country.
The Head Teacher of the school, Mr Makut Bulus, commended the organisation for the sensitisation programme and the doggedness in the enlightenment, assuring them of his commitment to the course.
Besides, Bulus encouraged the students to take advantage of the GBV sensitisation campaign by the organisation to help address the challenges.
“On behalf of the school, we will do everything possible to ensure that we give you a backup for this very initiative and as much as possible to promote this very programme,” he said.
Ms Awoyindna Omega, a student who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, said the sensitisation had created an opportunity for them to share experiences, challenges, innovations and ideas on how to curb the menace. (NAN)
Tags: Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls (AEIG)
