A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has sensitised adolescent girls and young women on the need to know their fundamental and girls’ rights in order not to fall victim to any form of abuse, bias or gender-based violence.
The assertion was made by a legal practitioner based in Bauchi, Barr. Jane Onwuka, during a one-day outreach organised by a Bauchi-based NGO, Nurture and Empower Her Initiative (NEHI), supported by another NGO, Ganvi Women and Youths Empowerment Initiative for 200 adolescent girls and young women in Bigi community of Bauchi LGA in Bauchi state.
The main activity was the Sensitization on Girls Body Awareness which was a two-phased programme of Training trainers on how to make reusable pads and Sensitization on personal and menstrual Hygiene and Infection prevention/body protection.
There was also Sensitisation on Girls’ rights and Human rights as well as the distribution of reusable pads to the participants.
Talking to the adolescent girls and young women, Jane Onwuka who is the Legal Adviser of NEHI said, “I am very passionate about what NEHI is doing and I love to partner with Florence Uzoanya, that is the reason I am here, to talk to the girls, give them knowledge about their rights as human beings first and then the female gender that they are.”
She explained, “I am here to give information on girls’ rights and human rights generally, to give the girls awareness on what their rights are and what they should do as well as the institutions that are available for them to seek redress in the case they fall victim to any forms of assault.”
“Before we talk about girls rights, there is what we call human rights which are for everyone irrespective of gender, it covers all, these are rights that as soon as you are born, they are inherent naturally, so, when you take away human rights, you are now talking about girls rights.”
The legal practitioner added that, “As a lady, girls growing up are facing challenges of environment, people around you, sexual harassment, trafficking, falling victim of all these things because they said we are weaker sex, women generally fall into these categories.”
“Most times, what we do is partnering with these NGOs, we enlighten girls, telling them, don’t be a fool to some of these vices, some people will come up with different stories to lure you without clear explanation about what actually they want to do with you,” She said.
One of the resource persons of the programme, Margaret Umar stressed the importance of educating and sensitizing the girls on how to take care of their menstrual and personal body hygiene for healthy living.
She also said that considering the economic climate of the country, the ideal thing is for the girls and young women to use the reusable pads which can last them for a whole year through diligent and hygienic conduct.
Margaret Umar commended NEHI and Ganvi for coming together to organise the Sensitization and training for the girls and the young women in Bigi community considering the rural nature of the settlement despite being close to Bauchi metropolis.
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