Group Establishes School Club To Curb Violence Against Girls

INcontinued effort to address violence against women and girls, the Initiative for Women and Girls Right Advancement ( IWOGRA) a non- governmental, non- profit women and girls’ right organisation working towards promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria established the End Violence Against Girls’ ( e- vag) School Club in Catherina International Academy, Dutse Alhaji, Abuja.

The establishment of the e- vag club was done within the school premises and had pupils and students from the different classes in the school including it Director, Yemishola Sonoiki, who said the club is her long- term desire for the schoolgirls.

Executive Director of IWOGRA, Nkechi Obiagbaoso- Udegbunam reiterated that the establishment of the school club supported by Actionaid Nigeria through the ‘ Strengthening the Capacities of Women’s Right Organisations to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls’ ( SLOC VAWG) project is in continuance of IWOGRA’S commitment to give necessary support to keep the school club running for the betterment of girls.

Obiagbaoso- Udegbunam noted that the initiative has been engaging the school on different occasions by training the students, teachers and school management on understanding violence against women and girls in schools; how to prevent same with emphasis on the individual and collective roles of the students, teachers and school management.

She stated that the purpose of the school club is for female students to have a platform where they can be innovative to lend their voices in addressing violence in school, educate other students and serve as a safe space for girls to discuss issues affecting them without being judged.

The Director of the school encouraged all the girls to be members of the e- vag club saying that girls are powerful and should not allow anybody make them feel vulnerable or oppressed, as girls their voices must be heard.

To support the commencement of the school club, the initiative presented the official club banner to the school for their meetings, a customised meeting attendance register for entry of names of students who attend the club meetings and report book for documentation of the minutes of the club meeting. She assured the school of the continued support for sustainability.