The Kogi State Ministry of Education, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, Kogi (AGILE), has trained principals and focal persons in charge of Gender-Based Violence from secondary schools across the state on response to sexual exploitation, abuse and other forms of violence.
The training also featured the signing of a Code of Conduct aimed at strengthening the capacity of school authorities to prevent gender-based violence, manage complaints and protect survivors.
Speaking at the training, GBV consultant with the Bridge Inspired Foundation, Oluwaseun Alabi, said the programme was designed to equip focal persons with appropriate procedures for handling complaints while prioritising the safety of survivors.
He stressed the need for school authorities to obtain informed consent, maintain confidentiality and prevent further exposure or harm to survivors whenever a complaint is received.
Alabi said participants were also trained on referral pathways, including when cases should be referred to healthcare providers, security agencies and the AGILE State Project Implementing Unit.
Another GBV consultant, Joy Oluwaseun, said the training was necessary because the AGILE project had increased activities and interactions within schools, making it important for school authorities to understand how to respond to potential GBV cases.
She said participants were exposed to various forms of school-related gender-based violence and trained on appropriate response procedures, referral mechanisms and the protection of survivors’ rights.
The Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Sarikin Noma, Lokoja, Hajia Fatima Aliyu, said the training had broadened her understanding of GBV and provided her with practical knowledge to better protect students.
Aliyu said she would share the knowledge acquired with students and staff to strengthen awareness and prevent sexual harassment and abuse in the school.
She commended the state government for organising the training, describing it as an eye-opening initiative that would contribute to creating a safer environment for the girl child while ensuring proper procedures are followed in reporting GBV cases.
Also speaking, the Principal of UBE JSS, Nagazi Uvete, and Chairman of the Forum of Principals in Adavi Local Government Area, Onukaba Muhammed, described the training as comprehensive and timely.
Muhammed also said the programme has reinforced the importance of providing girls with equal opportunities in education.
A GBV focal person, Oladimeji Helen, said the training provided practical knowledge on record keeping, case management, referrals and emergency response.
She said the knowledge would help school officials respond appropriately to cases of gender-based violence and ensure survivors receive the necessary support.
In his remarks, Dr Idachaba Joshua described the seminar as successful, saying its objectives have been achieved.
He said participants would transmit the knowledge acquired to other members of their respective school communities.
Joshua commended the Kogi State Government and the World Bank for supporting the initiative, saying the training would contribute to creating safer learning environments and strengthening protection for adolescent girls in secondary schools across the state.
