NGO urges students to break culture of silence on Sexual, Gender-Based Violence

By Ruth Oketunde

The Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, a Non-Governmental Organization, has urged students at the Government Secondary School Gwagwalada in Abuja, to break the culture of silence when faced with any form of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Mrs Abiodun Essiet, Executive Director of the organisation said this at a sensitisation seminar organized at the school to create awareness on SGBV.

Essiet, who was represented by Josephine Emeghoghena, Project Officer of the organisation, said the seminar was to also encourage the students to break barriers hindering justice to victims of SGBV and punishment to perpetrators.

She said that the sensitisation was also aimed at increasing student ambassadors that were willing to champion the campaign against SGBV at the school premises, homes and their various communities.

“We intend to achieve a society where there will be minimal stories of sexual and gender based violence at home, in schools and in our communities.

“We also intend to curb cases of bullying in schools, as we want the students to take the message home, their classrooms and we want them to be watch-dog for us.

“We have also selected Anti-SGBV ambassadors in this school and their mandate is to report such cases to us and we will know how to follow up from there.

“To the parents, we want them to watch out what their children are doing, who they mingle with, what they watch on their phones and so on.

“Do not leave it to teachers alone, let them see you as their friend, so that they can feel free to open up to you,” she said.

On his part, Mr Anze Vincent, the Vice-Principal Administration, of the school appreciated the NGO for bringing the sensitisation seminar to the students.

He urged the students to step down the knowledge gained on breaking the culture of silence in cases of abuse and other SGBV to their colleagues and friends at home.

“Don’t allow anybody jeopardize with your life, nobody should influence you to do what will endanger your life, because it will remain a stigma in your life.

“You can also help someone else too by reporting whatever you see, do not be afraid to speak out,” he said.

The NGO appointed five Anti-SGBV ambassadors at the end of the sensitisation seminar to champion the campaign against SGBV.

Miss Afodia Allahnana , one of the ambassadors said the seminar had embolden her to speak out against sexual and gender-based violence and to easily identify danger and risk spots of abuse and necessary steps to take in case of abuse.

She also appreciated the NGO for bringing the awareness to students of the school and called for a continuation of the sensitization in the school and possible replication in other schools within and outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.