Group takes campaign against rape, sexual violence to secondary schools

Worried by the increased cases of gender-related violence, a group “Amazing Amazon Initiative’ (AAI) is set to begin sensitization campaign in various secondary schools across the country to educate the children and youths on the ills of domestic violence.

The campaign, which is part of programmes, lined up to commemorate the International Women’s Day is to create awareness among children particularly females on such vices as rape, domestic and sexual violence to prevent them from falling prey.

According to the founder, Mercy Makinde, the awareness programme tagged ‘Touch Me Not Campaign’ is to sensitise the girl –child on vices against women.

She said, “Gender Based violence, including rape, domestic violence, murder and sexual abuse is a profound health problem for women across the globe. And in Nigeria, the recurrence of the vice is assuming a worrisome rate. As such concerted efforts is needed to tackle the remote and immediate causes of the problems.

“Gender-based violence cannot be addressed without confronting the underlying cultural beliefs and social structures that perpetuate violence against women. In our society women are tagged as inferior and the right to dominate them is considered the essence of maleness itself.”

Makinde explained that her organization, which is centered on female and youth empowerment, has chosen to start its sensitization campaign against domestic violence in secondary schools so as to draw their attention to the scourge at an early stage.

“Confronting violence requires redefining what it means to be male or female. The younger generation needs to be taught the right perspective early on gender relations in order for them to imbibe the right mindset. We believe it is important we start the sensitization among secondary school students, some of whom are victims of domestic violence and rape. Adults are already set in their ways. So taking the campaign to them gives us the dual opportunity of assisting those among them who are victims of these ills and also counsel them against indulging in such when they become adults.

She added that the campaign would also raise awareness among young boys and girls on the negative effects of sexual abuse alongside other forms of gender-based violence while also providing relevant training programmes on the vices.