Why young Nigerian girls are prone to sexual abuses – ISEEA

The Initiative for Self-Esteem Education and Advocacy (ISEEA), has identified low self-esteem as one major reasons young girls are susceptible to sexual abuse.

ISEEA, a body which advocates for Sustainable Development Goal – Good Health and well-being for all at all ages, also promotes awareness on the importance of self-esteem as well as help young people overcome low self-esteem by addressing causes through gender-inclusive projects in rural communities, mentorship, distribution of learning resources, school advocacy projects, social media engagement and partnership with relevant organizations and community stakeholders.

Speaking recently at ISEEAs last community project held in Galadimawa, Abuja, the founder of the Initiative, Rosemary Ochiwu, explained that lack of self-esteem leads to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth, making young girls vulnerable to sexual predators because they desire validation.

Rosemary said that the project was one of ISEEA’s annual projects and a follow up to a previous project done in the same community in 2022. She added that the project was put together in partnership with Research, Data and Stories in Development Consultancy (RDSD).

“Last year, this project was focused on the children in the community. Through our interactions with them, we found out that the cause of low self-esteem for many of them was linked to their relationship with their parents. So, we are here again”, she noted.

She disclosed that this year’s project was to enlighten mothers on how to build the self-esteem of their children and have sex education talks with them.

The founder expressed appreciation to all stakeholders in Galadimawa community, including the District Head, Alhaji Musa Barde and the Women Leader of the community, who gave them access to the community.

She expressed satisfaction at the impact of the program judging by the invite from the participants to the Initiative to return monthly, and acknowledged the effort of all volunteers, facilitators and donors towards the successful outcome of the project.

She further implored the government to support non-profit organizations by enlarging the civic space in the country and making favourable policies to enable bigger impact. She also expressed the need for individuals to believe in young people as it will greatly boost their self-esteem.

At the event, Mrs. Olubukola Odomo, the head teacher of Cuddles Childminders School, Abuja, and one of the facilitators, enlightened the mothers on the meaning of sexual abuse and rape.

She urged the mothers to share all that they had learnt with their children, including how to name their body parts correctly and create a safe space for their children to confide in them if they ever experience sexual abuse.

She tasked them to be strong and stand up to ensure justice for their children in cases of sexual abuse and rape, stating that “only a strong woman can groom another strong woman.”

The Initiative said it planned to honour the invite of the community to return and create a sustainability plan for their work in the community with the support of Ms. Olabisi Afolabi, a social development lawyer, community mobilization facilitator and an expert in global best practices for child protection, who was also present at the event.