By Emeka Nwokocha
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to observe this year’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence from 25 November to 10 December, a nongovernmental organisation, Development Initiative for Community Impact (DICI), has taken the campaign to public schools in Warri South local government area of Delta State.
Speaking to the students of Ugbuwangue secondary school, during the campaign, Executive Director of DICI, Dr. Rachael Misan-Ruppee said, “The 16 Days of Activism against GBV is an annual international campaign aimed at eliminating Violence against Women and girls.
She continued, “The campaign, having the global theme: “Orange the world: Unite Activism! End violence against women and girls,” advocates for inclusive, comprehensive and long-term strategies, programmes and resources to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spaces.
She charged the female students to speak up against sexual violence, saying that collective effort is needed to stem the scourge in the society.
At Yonwuren College, another phase of the campaign, Mrs. Faith Anyansor, resource person, spoke eloquently on different forms of gender-based violence, its effects on the society and the clarion call to eradicate the menace in the society. Continuing, she tasked the students on good behaviour, and urged the female students to speak up against gender-based violence in the society.
The students expressed delight at the event, thanking DICI for the enlightenment session.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the Head Girl at Yonwuren College, Jennifer Chukwuka, said “The enlightenment session on gender-based violence is a welcome development. We have gained a lot from the speaker and have been inspired to speak up against the menace. Also, we have taken note of some measures we could deploy to protect ourselves against GBV, and curb the scourge in our society.”
