CSOs campaign against sexual, gender-based violence in schools, churches in Bayelsa

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Gender-based advocacy groups in Bayelsa on Sunday commenced a sensitization campaign against sexual and gender-based violence in schools and churches in the state.

It was learnt that the campaign is for the girl child to be aware and protect themselves against sexual predators.

The advocacy campaign is being coordinated by the State Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) , a pet project of Bayelsa first lady, Dr Mrs Gloria Diri.

GRIT is in collaboration with gender-based advocacy groups including FIDA, Standup for Women Society (SWS), Nigerian Association of Female Engineers of Nigeria Bayelsa chapter.

Others are the Starrz Safety Initiative, the Carenepere Initiative, TEP TEP Humanitarian Foundation, GREP, and the Albinos Foundation.

The groups said it would tour public and private schools and churches across the state in the programme.

The Chairman of GRIT, Mrs. Dise Ogbise, while speaking at the event on Sunday commended the Bayelsa first lady for giving members of the team a platform to work and protect the girl child and female gender from abuse.

Ogbise noted that the partnership with other organisations has helped to pass on the message across the state capital.

“The sensitization is yielding positive results as more awareness is been created on preventive and protective strategies to curb issues of sexual and gender-based violence.

“We also appreciate Her Excellency for the lead as this move has further strengthened GRIT’s​ relationship with other civil society organisations,” Ogbise said.

Earlier, the Wife of the Bayelsa Governor, Diri called on the girl child to be conscious of the happenings in their surroundings and not allow sexual predators to jeopardise their future.

“Protect yourselves and don’t allow any man to jeopardise your future.

“You should always be conscious of your surroundings and everybody around you. Everyone is a suspect including some parents, guardians, and teachers,” Diri said.

The first lady also advised the boys to always learn to love and protect their sisters, by ensuring that they are safe from any form of violence.

She further counseled them not to partake in rape, cultism, drug abuse among others.

She advised the male students to know that they are the​ future of tomorrow adding that they need to secure their future by abstaining from sexual and gender-based violence.