‘Lack of parental care, poverty responsible for SGBV’

Poverty and lack of parental care have been identified as the main reasons girls and boys are being exposed to Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). A statement by Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), quoted some respondents as revealing this. The statement issued Monday in Abuja, at the phase-one and dissemination event organised by the TCF, was on […]

Poverty and lack of parental care have been identified as the main reasons girls and boys are being exposed to Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

A statement by Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), quoted some respondents as revealing this.

The statement issued Monday in Abuja, at the phase-one and dissemination event organised by the TCF, was on the GBV alert for women and girls’ empowerment project (ENGAGE-HER) Project.

It was read at the event by Keren Samari, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E), TCF.

According to the TCF, the project, is being implemented by Palladium under its component Five of the Nigeria SCALE Project, in collaboration with the foundation in Lagos, Ebonyi and Benue States.

The project increased awareness amongst 2100 in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls and boys between the ages of 15 to 25 to be better informed on SGBV prevention, response and the referral pathways for a safer and supportive environment for them to thrive.

The statement read in part: “At baseline, we asked participants if they reported to anyone and according to our findings, 13% respondents reported that they do not report to anyone while the impact assessment findings showed that 21% of respondents report to someone.

“Respondents were asked if they know their rights and 18% of respondents reported that they do not know their rights while 78% reported that they know their rights. During the impact assessment, findings showed that 95% of our respondents reported that they now know their rights.

“There has been an increase in the knowledge of the Childs Rights Act, VAPP Act and the school codes of conduct. Our findings on the impact assessment showed that 35% of participants are aware of the Childs Rights Act, 27% are aware of the VAPP Act, 12% are aware of the school codes of conduct while 9% are aware of the Childs Rights Act, VAPP act and the school code of conduct (all three laws).

“Respondents mentioned poverty, lack of knowledge, parental care, culture, drug abuse, lack of self- control, peer pressure, walking at night and playing with teachers as issues that exposes people to SGBV.”

On some of its key findings, the statement revealed that “Findings during the Focus group discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII) shows that all the issues mentioned at baseline expose people to SGBV.

“The key findings include unemployment, drug abuse (teachers that abuse drug), culture, cultism, social status, adults who are addicted to sex, lack of parental care, alcohol, greed, quest for knowledge on sex, pride, intimidation by boys, lack of home training, lack of self control manner of approach association with opposite sex, character and behaviour, appearances and lack of awareness s of SGBV can expose people to SGBV.”

TCF recommended strengthening safe spaces, engaging stakeholders, support mechanisms to reduce barriers to SGBV, continuous awareness creation, survivor safety, support for survivors, psychosocial counselling and school support as ways to improve services including access.

Speaking earlier, Arc. Adetayo Erinle, Executive Director, Tabitha Cumi Foundation, gave an overview and key achievements of the ENGAGE-HER Project.