Centre unveils initiative to address bullying in schools, workplaces

Disturbed by the rising cases of bullying in both schools and workplaces, Nigeria’s Equality Development and Research Centre (EDR) has launched an anti-bullying initiative to address bullying through a comprehensive and holistic approach.

Speaking during the initiative’s launch at the Durumi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Abuja, EDR founder, Marsha Nwanne, disclosed that the initiative was motivated by the need to extend the spotlight beyond schools with elite parents to include environments where vulnerable and less privileged children are often overlooked.

Revealing the result of a recent baseline study conducted by the centre on the prevalence of bullying among children in IDP camps, she lamented the alarming rate of bullying in IDP camps.

According to Nwanne, the initiative will provide invaluable support to the camp’s children and equip them with the tools to recognise and combat bullying. The centre has also established a help desk at the camp to listen, support, and resolve bullying complaints.

The founder noted that the effort underscores the centre’s commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments for all children, regardless of their background.

The camp coordinator, Idris Ibrahim-Halilu, who confirmed cases of bullying in IDP camps across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said it was prevalent across the camps because IDPs are citizens who are already traumatised, destabilised, disorganised and stigmatised by the society.

Halilu commended the centre for its efforts in trying to get children involved in the subject matter and making them understand that bullying is serious and should not be allowed in society.