NYSC launches campaign against GBV
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim said the National Youth Service Corps was one of the foremost organisations fighting against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and inequality through the activities of the Corps Gender Vanguard.
The assertion was made at the maiden edition of the grassroots gender sensitization and advocacy campaign in Rural Communities, which took place at Government Science Secondary, Gombe State.
Delivering the Director-General’s address at the occasion , the State Coordinator NYSC Gombe, Mrs Ada Imoni, maintained that gender issues are misconstrued as affecting females alone, noting that they include matters of both sexes, including rights and responsibilities.
She maintained that the advocacy campaign taking place simultaneously in rural Communities across the Northern States was an initiative of the Reforms unit of the NYSC ,as a platform to expose the ills of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
“We are here to emphasize that no individual; man woman, boy or girl should be denied the opportunity to realize their potentials. We are appealing to the conscience of Community members , religious institutions,Local Government Administrators , Principal/Head Teachers of Schools , Guidance and Counseling Officers ,Corps Employers and Parents to be more supportive, protective and sensitive to gender matters .
Mrs Imoni, also appealed to all and sundry to support the NYSC Gender Vanguard through the provision of enabling environment for greater impact, adding that the Scheme would continue to work with relevant Stakeholders towards the success of gender mainstreaming in the Country.
In her opening remarks , the Gender Desk Officer , NYSC Gombe, Mrs Jennifer Eli Arab said the Gender Desk Office is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring gender equality and inclusion. She commended the District Head of Bolari , Alhaji Ahmed Bolari and religious leaders at the event for educating people at the grassroots on the ills of gender discrimination and mobilising them to attend the event.
Also speaking, Mrs Asabe Malami, Director Social Development, Child person for gender based violence Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs, spoke extensively on the importance of the girl and boy child , calling on traditional rulers and religious leaders to sensitize members of their Communities on the need for gender equality. ” No child is more important than the other. It is imperative to make each child feel special and say no to gender discrimination.” she maintained
Four schools were selected across the State to participate in the advocacy campaign; Nuruddeen Primary School Gombe, Jekadafari Primary School, Government Day Senior Secondary School,Ahmadu Gombe and Government Science Secondary School, Gombe.
The programme was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders , parents, guardians , students and teachers.
