By Justina Auta
The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has called for continued advocacy and sensitisation for children on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to enable them to prevent and respond to all forms of harmful practices in the society.
The National President of the Council, Lami Adamu-Lau made the call at the sensitisation programme on GBV for selected schools from the FCT as part of events to observe the 16 days of activism to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
Adamu-Lau, represented by Mrs Ijeoma Udesi, the National Research Coordinator of the council said educating children on the signs, effects and how to get help, when confronted with violence would make them contributes in eliminating the menace.
According to her, the rate of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) perpetrated against children made it fundamental to groom young activist to establish a united front to confront any form of rape and harmful practices against children.
“The theme for this year commemoration, unite activism to end violence against women and girls makes it imperative to bring everybody on board including young people’s will.
”By the end of this programme, we will be more conversant with issues around gender based violence, body autonomy, positive masculinity, the VAPP law and the universal human rights thereby enlisting more foot soldiers to contribute to ending violence against women,” she said.
Also speaking, Ms Chidera Emesobum, Human Rights Education Assistant, Amnesty International noted the importance educating children on the intrigues of GBV and ways to protect themselves.
“Knowledge about GBV is not just for young people and adults, it is important that children are also made aware because most times they are the victims of these acts.
“They need to understand that when these things are happening like that, it is not normal, even if it is an elder that is doing it, does not make it right.
”So they need to be made aware on how to identify these acts and how to protect themselves,” she said.
Speaking after the event, some school students said they have been enlightened on the need to speak out when they witness or are confronted with any form of violence.
They also added that the event highlighted the need to limit access to the internet to avoid being addicted to contents of sexual and other human rights violation.
