A Damaturu-based non-governmental organization, Female Role Model Initiative, on Sunday organized a sensitization workshop for female Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yobe on how to protect themselves against rape and other acts of violence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, held in Damaturu
and attended by about 100 women and girl-child, also touched issues that
bordered on female reproductive health.
Speaking
at the occasion, Hajiya Halimatu Amshi, Coordinator of the Initiative, observed
that cases of rape of female children, was on the increase, hence the need to
educate them on protection measures.
“Child rape is on the increase, the girl child and mothers need to be enlightened to say no to violence against women.”
“Child rape is on the increase, the girl child and mothers need to be enlightened to say no to violence against women.”
“The
essence of this training is to sensitize the participants on how to protect
their bodies; they should not allow anybody to play with their bodies,” she
said.
Amshi said girl-child and mothers from Internally Displaced Persons camps and host communities, were carefully for the workshop.
The coordinator commended stakeholders for supporting the project adding that “the support rendered by religious and community leaders in the fight against domestic and sexual violence, is quite encouraging.”
Amshi said girl-child and mothers from Internally Displaced Persons camps and host communities, were carefully for the workshop.
The coordinator commended stakeholders for supporting the project adding that “the support rendered by religious and community leaders in the fight against domestic and sexual violence, is quite encouraging.”
“This
support has tremendously assisted women and girls to overcome cultural
barriers, which initially silenced women from speaking out against and exposing
sexual violence in communities across the state” she said.
Hajiya Fatsuma Mohammad, a lecturer with Yobe state University, who presented a paper titled “Educating the girl-child: A panacea to her health and domestic problems”, said education equips the girl-child with solutions to safe sex and productive lives, among others.
Hajiya Fatsuma Mohammad, a lecturer with Yobe state University, who presented a paper titled “Educating the girl-child: A panacea to her health and domestic problems”, said education equips the girl-child with solutions to safe sex and productive lives, among others.
“As
women become more educated, they are less likely to be at a disadvantage in a
society bedeviled with problems of militancy, terrorism, poverty, early
marriage, as well as domestic and sexual violence” she said.
Mrs Ramatu Habu and Aisa Bukar, internally displaced women in Damaturu, said the training had equipped them better to watch and protect their daughters from abuse.
Mrs Ramatu Habu and Aisa Bukar, internally displaced women in Damaturu, said the training had equipped them better to watch and protect their daughters from abuse.
Miss
Hauwa Musa, a girl child and participant at the training, said she would serve
as ambassador of girls against domestic violence and sexual abuse.
“I will
mobilize other girls, especially rape victims, to share their experiences with
others for a campaign against violence” Hauwa said. (NAN)
