By Justina Auta
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF) has organised a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) essay competition for in-school and out-of-school girls to create awareness on prevention and where to seek help when abused.
The Executive Director of TCF, Mrs Tayo Erinle, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the initiative, themed “The Role of Education in Preventing Gender-Based Violence Among Girls,” aimed to encourage girls to speak out against GBV.
Erinle represented by Mrs Nendirmwa Ohah, Programme Manager, TCF, said the essay competition was part of the 16 days of activism against GBV.
“We came up with this idea to engage with our in-and-out-of-school girls to serve as a solution to GBV.
“We organised this essay competition for girls to write about GBV and solutions that can drive the change needed to curb GBV in Nigeria.”
She said the competition received over 90 essays from various contestants, which underwent a rigorous process before selecting five outstanding essays for the grand finale competition.
“We have N100,000 for the winner, the first runner up goes home with N50,000, while the second runner up goes home with N30,000.
“We will continue to engage with girls and drive innovative ways to engage girls on creating awareness and solutions needed to curb GBV, so that our programme will be with them and not for them.”
Miss Joan Success, the overall winner, said: “I feel excited and I wasn’t expecting it but l am happy. I read a lot, have studied and attended conferences that speak about GBV.
“I encourage girls to continue speaking out, be our sisters’ keeper and say no to any form of violence,” she said.
Miss Joan Success emerged as the overall winner, receiving a cash prize of N100,000.
Miss Joy Ndubisi was the first runner-up, receiving N50,000, while Victoria Joseph took third place, receiving N30,000.
NAN
