ESLF, BENUE GBV TEAM TAKE ANTI-GBV CAMPAIGN TO PENIEL COLLEGE MAKURDI…URGE SURVIVORS TO REPORT ABUSE.

Members of the Benue State Gender Based Violence Policy Advocacy and Implementation Committee (also known as Benue State GBV Committee) today charged survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) to report cases of abuse to relevant persons and authorities to help rein in the scourge which currently ravages the society.

The team made this known today during its advocacy visit to Peniel College Makurdi in collaboration with ESLF as part of activities marking this year’s 16-Days-Of-Activism Against GBV. The advocacy characterised by active students participation, underscored actions that constitute GBV such as rape, maltreatment, assault, harassment, child abuse and molestation, gender-based discrimination and human trafficking.

A member of the team and Programme Manager of ESLF, Mr. Tine Agernor noted that verbal abuses or insults also constitute GBV as they subject those at the receiving end to severe mental torture that could have negative impact on their productivity in class or elsewhere and urged the students to desist from it.

Another team member, Barr. Hembafan Utange added that evil acts such as “forced prostitution, forced economic dependence, tricking others to drink, eat or inject harmful substances as well as pouring acid or other harmful substance on others also constitute GBV”, called on survivors to promptly call and report on these GBV helplines: 070-88-698-164 (NAPTIP MAKURDI), 081-49 4282 98 (FIDA BENUE) and 070-655-294-77.

Dan Azembe also on the team, advised students who suffer GBV either at home or in school to report to their teachers, parents, guardians or anyone who could protect them against the perpetrator. Some of the students including Winifred Ajikwa and Christabel Tombul both of SS 2, Dorathy Audu and Destiny Tyoapine who said the session was an eye-opener for them and promised to practice all what they had learnt.

In his vote of thanks, the Vice Principal (Academic) of the school, Mr. Answem Felix thanked the team for selecting Peniel College for such an exercise that adds value to the students and shields them from the scourge of GBV.