A group, the Gender and Development Action, GADA has trained School Counsellors on how to handle survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State
The Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Corporation, Dr Inyang Asibong during the 2-Day training programme urged them to reduce the incidences of Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by attending to the psychological, emotional and physical effects on survivors.
Dr Asibong commended the GADA for partnering with the United Nation’s Spotlight Initiative to train the teachers.
Asibong, who decried the rising incidences of SGBV and Violence Against Women and Girls, VAWG, said “The wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade is particular about gender-based violence and we have partners to support us.
“I will like to appreciate the United Nations; it has always been supporting our effort and working through the Gender And Development Action. We are very happy that this training is happening because what Cross River State is committed to doing is ensuring survivors speak out to get the necessary assistance there is to give.
“I am very happy that this training is holding for teachers in secondary schools. We need our teachers to be part of the solution; we need them to be actively involved in our strategy to reduce gender violence.
“So, what we are telling them here is that when children, who have been abused come to you, do not push them away. Teachers should not blame the children rather we expect them to take the steps or measures learnt in this training programme whether it is health, emotional, psychological or otherwise.
“We expect these teachers to make sure that those children do not continue to dwell on effects of the violence and do not suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD.”
Quality Services
In a remark, the Project Coordinator, Gender And Development Action, GADA, Mrs Akon Bassey-Duke said the group was versed with the mandate to prevent and offer services on GBV and Harmful practices, HP, as well as guarantee access to quality services for survivors.
Bassey-Duke explained, “Our focus is prevention and services that address the root causes of GBV and HP and ensure access to inclusive, timely and quality service for victims and survivors, which the safe spaces and GBV centre at the Ministry of Women Affairs handle.”
GADA Coordinator stated that to achieve its mission, three safe spaces were established in the secondary school and peer clubs were formed to enlighten and encourage the students to develop through hosting of regular debates.
According to her, “The peer groups will provide a platform for educational activities and opportunities that foster exploration, critical reflection, building resilience, self-awareness and independence in their pursuit of key life choices and take durable life decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health rights.”
She stated that to sustain and strengthen the safe spaces, GADA decided to build the capacities of Guidance and Counselling teachers in selected secondary schools.
“This is aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills as first responders to survivors/intended beneficiaries. The guidance and counselling teachers will oversee the peer clubs,” she said.
There were goodwill messages from the representative of the United Nations Population Funds, UNFPA, Marija Pakani as well as the representative of the Cross River State Ministry of Qualitative Education.
PIAK
