Ogun Govt sensitises over 120,000 secondary students against gender-based violence, sexual harassment, others
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
An intervention group under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project OGSTEP has sensitised no fewer than 120,000 students in 91 different Secondary schools spread across the State to shun all forms of gender-based violence including sexual harassment, bullying and child abuse in a bit to have a better society.
This was according to the statement by Mrs Simbo Olayinka, OGSTEP Communication Officer, and made available to journalists over the weekend.
The project coordinator, Mrs. Mosunmola Owoodunsi while speaking during the sensitisation tour at Ijebu Ode disclosed that the intervention programme was to avail learners in secondary schools on information about support services available in cases of harassment.
Represented by the Project Manager, Skills Development Sector under the project, Mr Fatai Osunsanya, the Project Coordinator revealed that the sensitisation visit was the fourth phase as the team had earlier in the year visited Remo, Egba and Yewa Blocs.
Owoodunsi urged the students to shun every form of gender-based violence such as rape and bullying, and report same without fear to the sexual and assault referral centres through dedicated phone numbers made available to them.
According to her, the referral centres are located in each of the three senatorial districts of the State and had been equipped with medical doctors, clinical psychologists, Counsellors, Lawyers and other trained personnel who attend promptly to calls and ensure that survivors are put back on track at no cost.
On his part, the Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu represented by the Director, Education Support Services, Mrs. Bamidele Makinde lamented the too many cases of unreported cases of sexual harassments and bullying due to stigmatisation.
Mrs Makinde however added that Ogun State takes the right of children very seriously and would not rest on its oars until those vices are fully eradicated in the State.
She urged the learners to speak up using the numbers on the stickers given to each of them.
Leading the OGSTEP team on the tour, a gender specialist, Mrs Ewajesu Fasina admonished the learners never to feel intimidated, noting that most assailants threaten survivors to harm them in order for them to keep sealed lips.
Mrs Fasina explained that that it is a punishable offence in the State for anyone to sleep with persons under the age of 18 years.
She however warned the learners to eschew all forms of sexual harassment as culprits would be remanded in the State juvenile correctional homes adding that they should desist from dressing indecently and walking alone at night to reduce cases of sexual harassment.
Representatives of the students of Ijebuode Grammar School, Ijebu Ife Community Grammar School, Itele High School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Comprehensive High School Ijebu Ife and Community Grammar School Ijebu Ife took turns to appreciate the OGSTEP team and the State Government for the visit, saying it had enlightened them and given them courage on how best to handle cases of sexual harassment.
Other schools visited include Ahmadiya High School Oni, Ibiade Community High School, Ibi Ade, Saint Kizito High School, Iwopin, Ogun Waterside and Ibiade Comprehensive High School, Ibi Ade.
Others schools visited are Osoosa Comprehensive High School, Osoosa, Ogbogbo Baptist Grammar School, Molusi College Ijebu Igbo, Molipa College, Ijebu Ode and Multilateral Grammar School Okun Owa among others.
