….As NGO organises a campaign to end the menace

By Ebunoluwa Sessou

“Often time sexual predators consider the children as their prey and will intimidate and threaten them from speaking out against their dastardly act. Many of these children or survivors suffer in silence and continue to live with this trauma.

“These students who are also survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, have difficulties concentrating in class, while learning becomes difficult; the teachers also find it difficult to get feedback due to poor feedback mechanism, which do culminate in most cases in ineffective teaching and learning activities.

“Oftentimes, these students suffer from depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawal syndrome, excessive anger, misogyny, sexism, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual addiction, low self-esteem and mental illness which ultimately translate into social vices”.

These are the campaign matrix to end the menace of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV. The campaign according to the organiser, Renaissance Foundation for Peacebuilders, REFOP, a non-governmental organization, is about saving lives, giving voice to every victim and survivor whose voice has been silenced by archaic social norms.

The advocacy was also about giving courage to the downtrodden, strength to the bereaved, hope to the hopeless, rescue to those seeking revenge, and shoulder to those in need of comfort.

With the aim of helping girl children to take action against the menace of Sexual and Gender-based Violence through intentional advocacy that prioritize and give focus to Secondary Schools Students, the organization for the past two years, has taken campaign on the prevention and curtailment of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) and has already visited 59 Public Secondary schools in 6 local government under Educational District I and vi.

Speaking with the Executive Director, REFOP, Oloyi Kehinde, disclosed that, SGBV is a global pandemic that affects millions of people every year, with devastating physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Adding that, the menace has no regard for age, status or socioeconomic backgrounds.

According to him, the advocacy was a way of helping the female students overcome the spectre and become conscious of this menace, particularly in a way of safeguarding their rights and accessing remedies.

“REFOP is looking to provide a wide range of services and support to survivors of SGBV, including crisis counseling. Adding that, these services are critical for survivors to heal and rebuild their lives after experiencing trauma. By empowering survivors, REFOP helps them to regain their dignity, self-esteem, and confidence, which are often shattered by the violence they have experienced.

“We believe SGBV can only be eradicated by changing societal attitudes towards violence and promoting gender equality. The organization proposes sensitization to create room for solutions and create awareness-raising campaigns, community mobilization, and advocacy to sensitize the public about the devastating impact of SGBV and to advocate for policies and laws that protect survivors and prevent violence.

“We also engaged with communities, including government agencies and civil society organizations, to build alliances and create a movement toward ending SGBV.

“We recognise that ending SGBV requires collective action and collaboration. The organization works closely with individuals, community-based organizations, and stakeholders to leverage their resources, expertise, and networks toward common goals. Adding that, by fostering partnerships and collaboration, REFOP can amplify its impact and reach more survivors and communities.

“The impact of REFOP in the fight against SGBV cannot be overemphasized. Through its holistic approach, the organization is changing lives, creating awareness, and advocating for change. By empowering survivors with right information, creating awareness, and fostering collaboration, REFOP contributes to a world free from SGBV, where everyone can live with dignity, respect, and equality”, he said.