By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

OSOGBO – Civil society organizations have urged the Federal Government to incorporate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) education into the school curriculum as part of efforts to curb the menace in Nigerian society.

The call was made on Friday in Osogbo during activities marking 2026 International Women’s Day.

The Executive Director of Eco Centre for Transformation and Empowerment Initiative, Lola Wey, advocated for mandatory reporting of SGBV cases and expanded support facilities across the state. She emphasized the need for early education to raise awareness and prevent gender-based violence.

Wey said, “Integrating SGBV education into our schools is crucial: it raises awareness, fosters empathy, promotes safe environments, and equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to such violence. Anyone who commits SGBV should face justice without undue leniency. We appeal to legislators to make reporting such crimes mandatory, and concealment should itself be treated as an offense.”

Also speaking, Mrs. Damilola Olabiyi, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), called on the National Assembly to enact laws making the concealment of gender-based crimes punishable, stressing that domestic violence should no longer be treated as a private family matter.

Olabiyi further highlighted challenges in enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, advocating for improved training of officers to ensure its effective implementation. She also called for the creation of a dedicated Osun State Sexual and Domestic Violence Agency, upgrading the Office of the Public Defender, and the adoption of gender-responsive budgeting across all government ministries.

The groups insisted that these measures are vital to creating a safe environment where women and girls can fully contribute to the state’s economic and social development.