- By Ibrahim Abubakar From Adamawa
A school teacher in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, Rhonda Peter has called on communities to establish Gender Based Violence (GBV) clubs in order to create awareness around the topic.
Peter who is a student’s counsellor in Governmentt Science Technical College (GSTC) Mubi made the appeal during a workshop on GBV organized by Sultan foundation for peace and development with support from spotlight initiative.
She expressed sadness over the rampant cases of such violence in communities which called for quick and urgent attention especially in view of the exposure of the students to social media.
She thanked the Sultan foundation for organizing the workshop and urged them to sustain the tempo of such advocacy for the good of all.
Also speaking, the Head Boy of the school, John Ezra thanked Sultan foundation for organizing the workshop saying that it has opened their eyes on the nuances and rudiments of SBV, promising to step down the knowledge to his peers.
He noted that with the knowledge he acquired, he will be a dotting husband and parent in the future adding that more of such educative sessions should be organized for students, just as he thanked the foundation for the gift of caps and clothes.
Amina Mohammed Ali, the program assistant of the foundation in Adamawa State noted that the aim of the project is to work with relevant stakeholders including traditional, religious and youth leaders to end the menace which has become rampant over the years.
She noted that the 250 girls that will be covered will be selected from Yola North and Mubi North local governments of the state. She made this known during a one day workshop in GDSS Shuware, Mubi and Government Technical College Mubi.
Also, a champion in Gender Based Violence (GBV), Nor Barnabas has disclosed the rationale for the paradigm shift in the approach to nip in the bud Gender Based Violence (GBV) in our communities.
Barnabas who works for Touch A Heart Foundation made the disclosure during a sensitization workshop for students of GDSS Shuware Mubi and GTC Mubi.
He called on the general public especially parents not to hesitate in reporting any forms of gender based violence noting that the lethargic disposition of communities towards such cases make perpetrators to be emboldened to commit more of such atrocities in the future.
Meanwhile, parents have been advised not to allow fear of stigmatization to prevent them from raising their voice against Gender Based Violence, the vice principal Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Lukuwa Mubi Paulina Kwaha has said.
Kwaha made the plea at a one day sensitization workshop organized by Sultan foundation for peace and development sponsored by spotlight initiative in GGSS Mubi and GDSS Mubi.
She urged parents to also stand their grounds in the face of gender-based violence regardless of the consequences because it represents one of the odious breaches of the fundamental rights of the human person.
She urged parents and guardians to maintain a sturdy vigilance around their children as most of the cases of GBV are perpetrated over dearth of supervision of wards.
Also speaking, Amina Mohammed Ali, the program assistant of the foundation in Adamawa State noted that the aim of the project is to work with relevant stakeholders including traditional, religious and youth leaders to end the menace which has become rampant over the years.
In phase 2, the projects are targeting girls in secondary schools and girls in tertiary institutions. They will b engaged in discussions and interactions on gender equitable norms.
Amina noted that the 250 girls that will be covered will be selected from Yola north and Mubi North local governments of the state.
She noted that at the end of the project, it is expected that there will be monumental shift in gender stereotyping and other social norms that bar the girl child from achieving her potentials which also exercerbate gender based violence.
She called on the general public especially parents not to hesitate in reporting any forms of gender based violence noting that the lethargic disposition of communities towards such cases make perpetrators to be emboldened to commit more of such atrocities in the future.
Stella Izea, Head Girl of the school advised the students to always speak out whenever someone molest them regardless of his social position.
Also speaking a student of the school, Hauwa Mohammed said she is equipped with the nuances and rudiments of SBV adding that the knowledge gained will prevent her from being a victim of GBV.
Speaking during a separate sensitization at Government Secondary School (GSS) Mubi, Ibrahim Josheph, a student of the school said with the sensitization, he fully understood what GBV means and how to guard against being a victim of the scourge.
He thanked the Sultan Foundation For Peace and Development for organizing such a wonderful event noting that it has expanded their horizon on the topic.
SPEAKERS
Rhonda Peter- student’s counsellor in Govt Science Technical College (GSTC) Mubi
John Ezra – Head Boy of the school
Nor Barnabas -Touch A Heart Foundation.
Stella Izea- Head Girl
Ibrahim Joseph- Student
Paulina Kwaha- Vice Principal, Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Lukuwa 1
