As GBV Cases Rise In Primary Schools, Officials Intensify Efforts To Combat Issue
Patu Bako Sensitizing Pupils Of GPS Old Town |
By Raymond Dingana
Recently, cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) have increasingly surfaced in primary schools. The seriousness of the situation has prompted Community Spokespersons (CSPs) in Ntambag commonly known as old town to leave their comfort zones and engage directly with these schools to intensify advocacy against GBV.
At the Government Practicing School (GPS) in Old Town, Bamenda II municipality where community spokes persons from the Community Action For Gender Development (COMAGEND) visited to educate pupils about the dangers of GBV,the head teacher Yongka Godlove Yosimbi emphasized their commitment to addressing this issue on campus, what they have been doing.
"We hold sensitization meetings twice a week. We also advise pupils to avoid places where they could be at risk, to be cautious about making friends with strangers, and to understand the dangers associated with GBV,"
said Yongka.
"Many cases of GBV remain hidden due to ignorance and stigma. Some parents do not want others to know that their children have been violated."
Patu Bako, one of the community spokespersons trained and equipped by COMAGEND to advocate against GBV, shared her observations with Drayinfos.com:
"During my door-to-door campaigns, I noticed many children mimicking inappropriate behavior they saw in movies. These negative influences can lead to troubling situations and provoke instances of GBV at school,"
Patu remarked.
Parents have also been called opon to control what their children watch on television, and also try to create a platform at home where parent-children dialogue can prevail. This will permit the children to open up when ever GBV has been perpetrated.
The campaign against GBV is led by Community Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), a nonprofit organization based in Bamenda. Their efforts are supported by the Adjust for Me Project, funded by Amplify Change, a non-governmental organization.
Drayinfos.com
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