By John Ikani
As part of efforts geared towards addressing the prevalent issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria, the Senate has successfully passed a bill that seeks to make it mandatory for secondary schools to incorporate preventive measures into their curriculum.
Sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir, the bill titled “Mandatory Inclusion of Preventive Measures on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence into the Curriculum of all levels of Secondary Schools in Nigeria Bill, 2023” aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge to prevent such acts.
Leading the debate during the plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Mr Gobir emphasized the importance of exposing secondary school students to the dangers associated with SGBV.
He highlighted the need for early intervention and education to curb the rising occurrence of SGBV, while also addressing child protection rights and related issues, including sexual violence, rape, and harassment.
The bill, once enacted, will serve as a cost-effective, timely, and sustainable solution to tackle the prevalent issues of SGBV. By implementing systematic interventions in schools, involving students, teachers, administrators, and parents, it aims to significantly reduce cases of SGBV and related offenses.
Mr Gobir stressed “the significance of catching them young with enlightenment, which will enable children to detect red flags and be vigilant. Additionally, it will provide them with referral pathways for reporting incidents.
“The primary goal of this initiative is to ensure that at least 80 percent of all participating students acquire satisfactory knowledge within 12 months of the program’s rollout to each cohort.
“By educating students, they will pass on this valuable information to their siblings, friends, and future generations. This comprehensive and sustainable approach is deemed essential in effectively addressing and combating this pressing societal problem.”
