As part of the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, schools across Edo State have been empowered to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through awareness and education programs.
The initiative, driven by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) in partnership with the Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, aims to equip young people with tools to recognize, report, and prevent SGBV. It aligns with the European Union’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022–2027 and builds on the successes of RoLAC I.
Under the theme “UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” the school sensitization sessions focused on teaching students to identify signs of abuse, understand their rights, and safely report cases without fear of stigma or retaliation. The program also highlighted the challenges of underreporting and victim-blaming, which remain significant barriers in Edo State.
State Programme Coordinator for RoLAC, Uche Nwokedi, underscored the importance of engaging youth, stating, “By starting in schools, we are empowering the next generation to advocate for change and access justice when needed.”
The initiative is part of broader activities marking the 16 Days of Activism, including community outreach, road walks, social media campaigns, and policy-focused press briefings. Stakeholders are optimistic that these efforts will amplify public awareness and strengthen advocacy to end SGBV in Edo State and across Nigeria.
