KWSG partners UNFPA to tackle GBV, HTPs in secondary schools
* To establish prevention clubs in 270 schools as it trains counselors
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has commenced a five-day training programme for School Counselors across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state on the establishment of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs) Clubs in 270 secondary schools in the State.
In her opening remarks at the training held at the Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, noted that both the GBV and HTPs remain major concerns that continue to affect the well-being, education, health, and development of many children and young people.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Alhaji Rasheed Baba Ubandawaki, stated that the objective of the training is to build the capacity of School Counselors who will serve as focal persons for the establishment and coordination of these clubs in their respective schools.
Chief Afolashade further explained that at the end of this programme, participants are expected to return to their schools and establish functional GBV/HTPs Prevention Clubs among both the Junior and Senior Secondary School students, of which the clubs will serve as platforms for awareness creation, peer education, advocacy, early identification of risks, positive behavioural change, and the promotion of gender equality and human rights.
The Commissioner further said the programme was a practical demonstration of government’s commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and future of children and young people, adding that it was also a reflection of government’s determination to create safe schools and communities where every child can learn, grow, and achieve his or her full potential free from violence, abuse, discrimination, and harmful traditional practices.
The Commissioner, however, commended UNFPA for its continued support in ending GBV and HTPs in the state and noted that recruiting School Counselors in the fight against GBV and HTPs and establishing school clubs will go a long way in ending the menace in the state.
The State Focal Person, UNFPA, Mrs Gloria Enueze noted that UNFPA is committed to ending GBV and HTPs in the state and encouraged the participants to be attentive when dealing with students as most of them are exposed to various forms of abuse.
Mrs Enueze also noted that it is imperative for the school counselors to go beyond the manual and create a clear referral pathway systems for survivors of GBV and HTPs in their respective schools.
The Head of Department, Women Unit, Ilorin West, Alhaja Taiwo Mohammed commended the Ministry of Women Affairs and UNFPA for the initiative and noted the programme will bring the needed change in the community to end GBV and HTPs.
The School Counselor, Government Day Secondary School, Amule, Hajia Muhammed Dupe noted that there is no better time to commence the training for school counselors as there are various forms of harmful practices against student but the knowledge gathered during the training will help provide the needed physical and psychosocial support for the students.
