Kwara State Government Commits to Combating School-Related Gender-Based Violence

Strategic Insights -

The Kwara State government has reiterated its commitment to addressing School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) and ensuring justice for victims, with a three-day workshop bringing together 193 health workers and security personnel to strengthen coordination and response mechanisms. The workshop, organized by the state's Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development in collaboration with the Kwara Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, aimed to validate referral pathways for effectively addressing SRGBV cases. Key stakeholders, including government officials, health workers, and security personnel, attended the workshop, promising to support the project and ensure that adolescent girls have a safe space to learn in school.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kwara State government has committed to combating School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) and ensuring justice for victims.
  • A three-day workshop was organized by the state's Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development in collaboration with the Kwara Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project to validate referral pathways for addressing SRGBV cases.
  • 193 health workers and security personnel from 16 local government areas attended the workshop, alongside key service providers assigned to Primary Health Care Centres.
  • The workshop aimed to strengthen coordination and response mechanisms for addressing SRGBV cases, ensuring that girls have safe spaces to learn and grow.
  • Key stakeholders, including the state commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, and the director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Dare Abdulganiyu, attended the workshop and promised to support the project.
  • The AGILE project aims to remove barriers hindering girls from accessing education and opportunities, and to empower adolescent girls to learn, thrive, and achieve their dreams.
  • The workshop featured presentations by GBV experts, technical sessions, and validation of action plans, with critical stakeholders attending and promising to support the project.

Statistics:

  • 193 health workers and security personnel attended the workshop from 16 local government areas.
  • The AGILE project aims to support adolescent girls in 16 local government areas across the state.
  • The workshop was designed to equip service providers with knowledge, tools, and strategies to deliver coordinated and survivor-centred services.
  • The National Orientation Agency (NOA) plans to take the validated referral pathway to the grassroots and engage in advocacy campaigns, sensitisation efforts, and education on rights and support mechanisms for students.

Sources:

  • Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development
  • Kwara Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project
  • National Orientation Agency (NOA)
  • International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
  • Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA)
  • Primary Health Care Development Agency
  • Family Court
  • Legal Aid Council of Nigeria