By Lizzy Carr, Bauchi
A non governmental organisation (NGO) in Bauchi, Nurture & Empower Her Initiative (NEHI) has pledge to provide conditional cash transfer for 70 orphaned girls to enable them settle their school fees.
This was part of a one day sensitization programme for the girlchild on how to protect herself against any form of abuse and molestation.
The sensitization program tagged, ‘My body is my body’, was organized for over 70 girls of the Bauchi State School for Orphans located at the state owned orphanage.
ASHENEWS reports that the Executive Director of the NGO, Florence Uzoanya explained that the organisation is working for the right of the girl child as well as eradication of all forms of abuses and violence against them.
“We came here to teach the girls on body safety rules; we want them to know that their bodies are their bodies; nobody has the right to touch them. Nobody has the right to hurt them; nobody has the right to touch their private parts”.
Uzoanya also said 70 girls from the orphanage will receive educational and sanitary materials, pants, vests and other writing materials.
“We have a lot of programmes lined up for the girl child in Bauchi state. We want to ensure that no girl is at home without going to school; we want to ensure that no girl is left behind”.
According to her, the organisation will ensure that girls go to school and will help those who cannot afford to pay school fees through conditional cash transfer for them to pay their school fees.
Christabel Nwosu in her presentation, taught the girls to always speak out if anyone touches their sensitive body parts, telling them that nobody has the right to touch them without their consent no matter who the person is.
She added that they should not be afraid to challenge anybody who wants to molest them, while encouraging them to immediately shout so that people around can come to their rescue.
In her reaction, the Head Mistress of the School within the Orphanage, Mairo Abubakar thanked the NGO for coming to sensitize the girls, saying that it was the first time such will be done.
She called for more visits by NGOs and other spirited individuals in the society, stressing that government alone cannot take care of the orphans.
