Over the last 10 years, the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast has heightened the already disturbing humanitarian crisis, poverty rate, unemployment, increase in human rights violations especially gender-based violence and abuses to the adolescent girl child. Gender-based violence (GBV) knows no boundaries.
This global phenomenon does not discriminate on the basis of geography, culture, ethnicity, or economy, and is often tolerated and sustained by the very social institutions – such as schools – where children are expected to be safe and protected. GBV is a brutal violation of human rights. It is one of the worst manifestations of gender discrimination and a major obstacle to achieving gender equality. The violence that occurs in and around schools (also known as school-related gender-based violence or SRGBV) continues to be a serious barrier in realizing the right to education. Girls are most at risk of GBV in and around schools, but boys may also be targeted. The experience or even the threat of SRGBV often results in poor performance, irregular attendance, dropout, truancy, and low self-esteem. Violence can also have serious health and psychological implications that can have long-lasting effects.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism to raised awareness in addressing the incidences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse, Many communities especially the Adolescent within the school-aged are left behind with lack of access to information of kinds of abuse and dignity of menstrual hygiene.
The Center for Advocacy Transparency and Accountability initiative (CATAI) alongside 6 national organization Borno Women Development Initiative, Centre For social Cohesion, piece and Empowerment with Zenith of the Girl Child and Women Initiative supports and Hallmark Leadership sensitized the students of Yerwa Government Girls schools on Gender-Based Violence to empower young people to realize their full potential and stand up for their rights and tap their possibilities as agents of social change. CATAI aims to provide an alternative narrative of victimizing youths and adolescents, especially riding on the UNFPA’s corporate strategy ‘MyBodyMyLifeMyWorld’ to support youths and adolescents make informed choices as it concerns their bodies.
This be achieved through innovative ideas to encourage the participation of adolescents in Secondary schools. CATAI and other partners conduct the training to identify passionate and enthusiastic young people within a secondary school. It has been a huge success with the participation of partners to amplify voices and challenge Gender-based violence.
