As part of its efforts to end violence against women and girls, and also to commemorate 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) is conducting an enlightenment campaign to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) among young girls in private primary schools in Lagos State.
WRAHP, a Non-Governmental Organisation, and managers of Ireti Resource Centre, in a statement issued at one of the enlightenment programmes at Bridge International School, Aderupoko Academy, said that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a challenge among young persons in Nigeria.
According to the statement issued by Bose Ironsi, WRAHP’s Executive Director, the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), says six out of 10 children in Nigeria have experienced one form of abuse or the other.
“This initiative involves sensitization of pupils on Gender-Based Violence, prevention strategies for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, reporting mechanisms for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as well as introducing the pupils to the Ireti Young Leadership Program managed by WRAHP.
“A total of 1,080 pupils will be reached in 10 schools managed by Bridge International Academies, Lagos between 24th November 2022 – 9 December 2022,” the statement read.
Sixteen Days of Activism is an annual global campaign that begins on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, till 10th December, International Human Rights Day.
The theme for this year’s programme is “Unite! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls”.
“This activity is being implemented by the Women’s Rights and Health Project in partnership with Bridge International Academies, Lagos.
“WRAHP implores parents, the government, teachers, school administrators, and the media to unite with us to end violence against women and girls,” Ironsi said.
Speaking at the event, Abisoye Ajose, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, WRAHP, said the organization planned to equip “young children with knowledge on how they can protect themselves from abuse as well as to be able to speak up if they have faced abused in past or if they are currently facing abuse.”
“We also want them to be advocates in their various spheres, teaching other children to be able to speak up if they are abused.
“As part of this programme, we also want young children to know about the Ireti Young Leadership Programme, which is a mentorship programme to build the capacity of young children in Lagos State,” she said.
Tomitope Oladele, the Academy Manager of Aderupoko Academy, speaking on the programme, appreciated WRAHP for enlightening the pupils on physical abuse, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.
“The programme is a good one, and you can see a lot of pupils asking questions. They are always curious and want to know things,” she said.
“It’s good to have this type of programme once in a while to ensure these youngsters are adequately equipped to protect themselves from SGBV”, Oladele added.