Niger State: NYSC inaugurates campaign against Gender-Based Violence

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has inaugurated the first phase of the Grassroots Gender Sensitisation and Advocacy Campaign in Niger State.

The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General. Shuaibu Ibrahim inaugurated the campaign in the Maikunkele community of Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

Ibrahim, who was represented by Mrs Funmilayo Ajayi, the NYSC Coordinator in Niger, explained that the campaign was an initiative of the Reforms Unit of NYSC, implemented on the platform of Corps Gender Vanguards.

He said the aim of the campaign was to expose the ills of Gender-Based Violence, adding that GBV was not only about physical and psychological harm but constituted an abuse of fundamental rights of the victim.

“Consequently, all hands must be on deck to fight this menace ravaging the society, especially among rural dwellers as gender issues include matters of interest to both sexes.’’

The Director-General appealed to members of communities, religious institutions, heads of schools, parents and other stakeholders to support, protect and sensitise the people on gender matters.

He said the Corps Gender Vanguards helped information of gender clubs in schools and provide linkages to victims of gender abuse through the GBV toll line — 08031230651, provided by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

NAN/PIAK