UNESCO wants education institutions strengthened to fight gender violence

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office in Nigeria has called for the strengthening of the nation’s educational institutions to check harmful practices against women and girls in the country. The Officer in Charge of UNESCO in Abuja, Mr. Lamine Sow, made the call on Thursday In Abuja at a one-day […]

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office in Nigeria has called for the strengthening of the nation’s educational institutions to check harmful practices against women and girls in the country.

The Officer in Charge of UNESCO in Abuja, Mr. Lamine Sow, made the call on Thursday

In Abuja at a one-day Spotlight Initiative to develop an education package for schools in Nigeria. According to him, the project was being implemented in eight African countries and would be achieved on six complementing pillars like policy, institution strengthening, prevention and quality data among others.

He also said that the project covered the six geo-political zones in Nigeria and implemented in Adamawa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Lagos, Sokoto and the FCT.

Sow said, “The school remains a strong point of contact to implement this action plan, and that was why today we are building the capacity of the teachers and school owners to take responsibility.”

On is part, the National President, Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS), Mr. Noah Emmanuel, said the experiences of sexual abuse and gender violence undermined the health, dignity and security of victims, especially where it remained shrouded in a culture of silence.

He said, “We are partnering other Organizations to visit schools, we want to sensitize school teachers, administrators, pupils and even citizens on how to identify abuses, avoid it and also report to the appropriate authorities.

“At the end of this one-day Spotlight initiative, we would develop an education framework and deliver to the schools to strengthen the capacity of the school owners, to begin to take responsibility in educating others. All we want to achieve is a country where women and girls can walk freely without intimidation or any form of harassment.”

Also, the representatives from the Gender department of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Nwankwo Steven, and that of the United Nations Women Office Ms. Tosin Akigbo. pledged their commitment to be at the frontline of the advocacy.

They said that if the country must eliminate all forms of gender violence against women and girls by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all hands must be on deck coupled with a multifaceted approach.

The event organized by UNESCO in partnership with NOGALSS was also attended by traditional leaders, school administrators, international partners, CSOs and government agencies among others.