The Association of Wives of Federal Capital Territory Traditional Rulers has called on young school girls to speak out whenever they encounter any form of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The group gave the advice at a sensitisation campaign organised for students at the Model Girls Junior Secondary School, AMAC Estate, Akko, in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Sunday.
The event, organised in collaboration with Broad Sustainable Women Economic Empowerment and Peace Initiative, was part of activities to commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
Hajiya Gimbiya Usman, wife of the Chief of Garki, said the sensitisation campaign was organised to equip the students with knowledge of gender-based violence and how to handle such cases.
“We have been going round various communities to sensitise these children on sexual and gender-based violence and for them to speak out when they encounter such.
“They should not feel that they will be stigmatised, they should speak out as we are ready to take it up from there.
“We cannot fold our hands as mothers and watch these menace eat deep into our society, that is why we want to empower the children with adequate knowledge on what to do when they encounter such.
“As traditional rulers’ wives, we are closer to the people at the grassroots and as such, we will not relent at making sure that our community is rid of gender-based violence,” she said.
The school principal, Mrs Titilayo Yahaya, appreciated the organisations for bringing the sensitisation to the school.
“This is a good time to sensitise them because it is good we catch them young and the advocacy of the association is in the right direction.
“On our part, the school will not relent in its efforts to support the students and follow up on any case of sexual and gender-based violence,” she said.
The Head Girl of the school, Miss Fatima Mohammed, also appreciated the organisations for the sensitisation, adding that it had given them the confidence to speak out when molested.
NAN reports that the event which featured debate competition on the subject matter, had the winners awarded with various prices.
The event had the support of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education and MacArthur Foundation.
NAN
