The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), Kaduna has sensitized over one thousand students of Queen Amina College on the need to protect themselves from rape and sexual harassment.
Speaking during a sensitization programme at the school assembly hall, Programme Officer of PPFN, Northwest, Region office, Amina Abdulrahim said they were in Queen Amina College to celebrate the 16 days activism on gender based violence, against women and girls.
“We are here today at Queen Amina College in collaboration with Kadashi Initiatives to sensitise the students of the college because based on a study there are a lot of vulnerable students from the North East that are in the college.
According to her, there has been an increase in level of violence meted out against young girls in forms of torture, sexual molestation and abuse with most victims choosing to remain silent instead of exposing the criminal.
“So we want to encourage the girls to tell those close to them when they are faced with such harassment or violence.
“We equally want to equip them with information on how to be safe, how not to be raped and how to know if they are in an unhealthy environment or if they are in an unhealthy relationship.
“So that at the end of the sensitization, they will be able to know if they are with somebody that is not right.
Mrs. Amina Abdulrahim remarked that the school authorities were able to mobilize over one thousand students to participate in the sensitization exercise, with the aim of educating them on the current trend of gender based violence in the society.
Earlier, one of the speaker, Dr Amos Kadashi, of the Kadashi Initiatives said based on his experience, many adolescent girls and young people are passing through a lot of trauma because of sexual molestation.
He lamented that the menace has been worsened as some perpetrators include relatives and those in position of caring for young adults and children.
“So the sensitisation will help the girls to stand on their own, if they are faced with danger, he declared.
To this end, he advised the young girls to always speak out when they are in danger so that help will come their way.
In an interview with Radio Nigeria Kaduna, the Principal of Queen Amina College Hajiya Rakiya Ismail Ahmed commended the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria and Kadashi Initiatives for their effort to educate the students on gender based violence.
Aliya Danladi Muhammad and Jemima Peter Okada explained that they have learned how to protect themselves.
Cov/Adamu Yusuf
