By Anthony Ojo.
Civil Society Organisations and other relevant stakeholders have been urged to collaborate in a bid to end school related gender based violence in Schools.
A Guest Speaker, Barrister Omowumi Ogunmoroti gave the advice while delivering paper at a public lecture organized by the 1991 Old Students of Annunciation School and Saint Louis Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti.
Barrister Ogunmoroti said school related gender based violence involves sexual abuse and physical assault from teachers to students and from students to students, most especially from males to females.
She stressed the need to build a system that would encourage students to speak out in case of any sexual abuse.
The Gender Advocate also called for capacity building for students, Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff of various schools on the need to stop school related gender based violence.
Barrister Ogunmoroti listed some of the effects of the act to include educational impairment, emotional disorder, unexpected pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
The Wife of Ekiti state Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi said the future of the girl child should not be cut short through sexual related violence, hence they should always be protected against all forms of assault.
Erelu Fayemi also advised Teachers in schools to always be vigilant and security conscious in order to ensure the safety of pupils and Students.
Chairperson at the occasion and the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye commended the Old Students for putting up the lecture which She said would have great impact on the students.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President, “91 Legacy Team” of Annunciation School and Saint Louis Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, Mr. Martin-Mary Falana said the programme was part of their determination to give back to their Alma Mata.
“We want our school to be the best when they go for competitions because our school usually come first during our time”.
Mr. Martin-Mary Falana noted that the topic of the lecture was to improve the knowledge of the students on gender based violence in the society.
On her part, the Secretary of “91Team Legacy” Mrs. Funmi Aina Kunle-Kehinde pointed out that the programme would encourage the students of Annunciation School and Saint Louis Grammar School to put in their best in their academic pursuit.
A thanksgiving mass has earlier been held where a Priest, Reverend Father Raphael Osegbohun enjoined students to be focused and dedicated to their studies in order to have a brighter future.
Reverend Father Osegbohun who is also an Alumnus of Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti lauded the 1991 Old Students for remembering the school which made them.
The programme featured debate and quiz competition between Annunciation School and Saint Louis Grammar School.
At the end of the competition, Saint Louis Grammar School emerged the winner with a cash gift of two hundred and fifty thousand naira and one hundred thousand naira for Annunciation School, while the participants at the competition received ten thousand naira each.
The programme had in attendance, government functionaries, Educationists, the Bishop Emeritus of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Michael Fagun, Priests and Religious among others.
