Raising awareness of sexual gender-based violence

 

 

Group photography of students from the six selected schools in FCT, Teachers and Staff of CODE, during the debate program on SGBV.

Raising awareness of Sexual and Gender Based Violence(SGBV), has become a global concern, as millions of girls and boys face one form of abuse or another.

Most times, victims of SGBV are reluctant to speak even when being violated especially the male gender, hence the need to protect boys from SGBV, just like their female counterparts. 

in respect to male victims’ perspective to sexual violence, Connected Development CODE, a non-profit organization, organized a town hall meeting in Abuja, on SGBV to discuss how it affects the Male gender.

The organization believed the lack of attention to the mental health of boys and the impact on their overall well-being is a contributory factor.

The Executive Director of CODE, Mallam Hamzat lawal who observed that “mental health issues affected individuals regardless of gender, said the meeting was to provide a platform for students to engage in a healthy debate on the topic “Boys cannot be abused”.

Survivors of Gender Based Violence should have a right to safety, protection and dignity, which calls for raising awareness of SGBV

Government Action

Mrs Nefisat Kote of the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) JSS Gender Unit, expressed displeasure over the rate of SGBV in the country and suggested more awareness programmes on the need to beam light on tackling SGBV especially on boys and the girls.

She encouraged guardians, parents and school authorities to be more sensitive to detecting SGBV and advised students to speak out.

Reactions from Some Male Students

A Junior Secondary School Zone 3 student, Master Ugockukwu Nonso, said parents need to protect their children by encouraging them to shun the culture of silence, knowing their friends and to seek help when in danger.

Molestation

Another student from JSS Kubwa 1, Master Domion Festus mentioned that boys could be molested through physical, emotional and sexual means and they are not always free to express themselves or complain.

Six schools comprises of JSS Kuchingoro, JSS Wuse Zone 4 and Zone 3, and others participated in the programme, while four schools that engage in the debate are to receive N200, 000, and four android tablets.