An Enugu-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women Information Network (WINET) has taken its advocacy against gender-based violence to secondary schools in the state.
Ikengaonline reports that WINET took the campaign to Community Secondary School, Obeagu Awkunanaw, Enugu State as part of activities to mark the 2021 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The Program Manager of WINET, Mrs. Ijeoma Obinna-Onwuka, said that the event became necessary following the need to guide the young ones, especially, boys to become advocates of ending gender based violence.
Obinna-Onwuka said that the event, commemorated every November 25, also marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
“This period is used every year as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls,” she said.
She urged the young male students in the school to become champions for ending violence against girls and women.
Also, the facilitator of the event, Mr Ifeanyi Onaga, said that gender-based violence was a harmful act directed at an individual based on their gender.
Onaga, who is a legal officer in Enugu State Ministry of Justice, mentioned such acts to include physical violence, verbal violence, psychological violence, sexual violence and socio-economic violence.
Others are, domestic violence or intimate partner/relationship violence and harassment or sexual harassment especially at the work place.
He said that the law, including the Enugu State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2019, prescribed punishments for such acts.
The legal practitioner said that the role of men and boys in ending violence against women and girls includedcreating safe spaces for girls and women to interact, forming a closer connection with women and girls.
Others are understanding and breaking-free from harmful stereotypes that suggested that violence was normal.
Onaga advised the students to report cases of violence against girls in their school to the authorities so that perpetrators would be punished.
Responding, the School Prefect, Chinedu Ezeorah, made a commitment that male students in the school would champion the campaign to end violence against women and girls in the school, homes and community.
Ezeorah also said that they would enlighten their fellow students and peers on the ills associated with the menace.
Also, another student Chimaobi Ometa, said he would, henceforth, report any form of violence against girls including beating, verbal or sexual abuse he noticed in the school to teachers.
Ikengaonline further reports that the event organised in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, under the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, has its theme as ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now’.
