Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains a significant issue in various communities across the country. This form of violence is directed against individuals based on their sex or gender, with women and girls being the most common victims.
In the Chereponi District of the North East Region, young girls are being educated on their rights and empowered to protect themselves against sexual violence.
Sexual and gender-based violence is a global concern. It refers to acts of violence committed against individuals due to their gender, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Many girls and women become victims of such violence due to a lack of awareness or knowledge.
In the Chereponi District, SGBV remains a pressing issue, with numerous reports of young girls being attacked and sexually abused, as well as women enduring severe domestic violence.
To combat this problem, a youth group known as “Chereponi Youth Connect” has initiated efforts to educate and sensitise junior high school girls in the district. The aim is to empower them with knowledge and equip them to protect themselves and report cases of violence.
At a sensitisation forum, the Coordinator of Chereponi Youth Connect, Sananu Zakaria, emphasised the importance of providing relevant information to the girls, noting that it would help them build their confidence and ability to act.
Doris Korentewaa, the District Police Officer in charge of Women’s Affairs, called for collaborative efforts to tackle the menace. She stressed that the police alone cannot address the issue without community support.
“I can’t fight gender-based violence alone, let’s rise and fight it together as one people and a nation for peace to prevail in our community. We need peace in Chereponi so let’s rise and fight against gender-based violence for peace to prevail,” she stated.
Korentewaa also urged individuals reporting such incidents to ensure they have sufficient evidence to support their claims.
“Come to the police station with evidence and we will help you and make sure that your case is well handled for everything to fall under good shape.”
The Queen Mother of the Chereponi Traditional Area, Eliasu Ayishetu, encouraged the girls to focus on their education and avoid behaviours that could jeopardise their future.
Some of the girls expressed gratitude to the organisers for the initiative and appealed for continued sensitisation programmes.
” I thank the organisation for organising this conference. Through this conference I have understood that I have a right and I know how to protect myself. I think when they continue this programme I will learn more about how to control myself,” stated Abdulai Mbemba, a student of Chereponi Girls Module JHS.
“We thank the Chereponi Youth Connect so much for organising this programme. As a girl, I have been informed that I have a right and I have learnt how to protect myself. We will learn more if they continue to organise this programme,” added Fusheina Fridaus, a student of Chereponi Girls Module JHS.
Gender-based violence predominantly affects women and girls, often rooted in cultural norms. In many communities, traditional practices marginalise women and girls, excluding them from decision-making processes, even within families.
In marital relationships, men often believe they have unrestricted rights over their wives, disregarding the concept of consent.
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