Journalist takes gender-based violence campaign to schools

Students have been advised to eschew violence in any form and focus on becoming the agents of change that will shape the future of the country.
Tina Phineas of New Nigerian Newspapers gave the advice on Friday during a Gender Based Violence awareness campaign in selected schools in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Phineas maintained that violence against women and girls is one the most shameful human rights violation and the most pervasive, adding: “It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth, as long as it continues, we cannot make progress towards equality, development and peace.”
According to her, GBV is a problem that seriously impacts not only on the individual, but also on the community and nation as a whole.
The campaign was geared towards educating the youngsters about GBV, its effect on the society and the need to speak out against it.
“Our goal is to reduce gender-based violence (domestic and sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls) in the home front, in schools, in the work place, in camps and the society at large,” she affirmed.
Phineas said her joy will be full when government (both Federal and state), Civil Society Organisations, Non Governmental Organisations and other individuals involved in GBV campaign bring about a society where attitudes to the use of violence (sexual, physical or psychological) have been transformed.
She also appreciated conflict transforming and peace building international NGO, Search for Common Ground, for the support and opportunity to increase the visibility of salient Human Rights issues.
Search for Common Ground works to promote the full spectrum of human rights for all people, addressing GBV is a crucial part of that.
After the campaign, Emmanuel Jacob, a SS3 student of Yola Model Secondary School, said the campaign has helped in broadening his scope about issues of gender and violence.
“I will be a youth campaigner among my peers to spread the word about GBV and speak out to protect the rights of women and girls,” Jacob stated.
Juliet Anthony, a SS2 student of the same school, said before the campaign, she had no idea what GBV means or stands for, adding: “Now that I am armed with powerful information, I will speak out for the protection of the rights of women and girls.”