Secondary school Students,in Ekiti state, especially the females have been urged to protect themselves against issues that can lead to Gender-Based Violence.
The Director, Evaluation and Standard at Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Adebayo gave the advice during a sensitization on how to eliminate and check Gender Based Violence at Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti, organised by “Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE”.
Mrs Adebayo stressed the need for the students to start identifying what GBV is all about and factors that could promote its spread in the society, in order to contribute to stop the menace.
She explained that the sensitization programme was part of the efforts of the group to fight against sexual abuse, maintain hygiene during menstrual cycle and stop Female Genital Mutilation and other social vices inimical to their progress.
“In case you are facing any form of violence, you must speak out, you have every right to say no what you are passing through”.
While speaking, the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE” GBV Officer, Mr. Akindele Olaitan listed issues relating to GBV to include sexual harassment, abuse, exploitation, child labour, economic violence and psychological violence among others.
According to Mr Olaitan, the major aim of AGILE project is to increase enrolment of Secondary School students, especially the females and ensure that they complete their education to become successful individuals.
Speaking on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, he enjoined the students to preach and disseminate the information to their family members and friends as Anti-GBV club members.
The AGILE GBV Officer said the project was also targeted at increasing students’ enrolment and make sure they complete secondary school education without any hitch.
He urged the students to protect themselves from GBV both at home and in the school as Anti-GBV club members, telling them to always disseminate the information wherever they found themselves.
Mr Olaitan also enjoined the students to work towards eliminating rape in the society, adding that they should practice personal hygiene when they are observing their menstrual cycle.
The seminar was also replicated at Babatope Memorial High School, Ikoro-Ekiti and Girls Modern College, Ilawe-Ekiti, during which AGILE donated sanitary pads, writing and reading materials on GBV and T-shirts with the inscription “Ekiti says no to Gender Based Violence”.
