A Damaturu-based non-governmental organisation, Female Role Model Initiative, on Sunday organised a sensitisation workshop for female Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yobe on how to protect themselves against rape and other acts of violence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, held in Damaturu and attended by about 100 women and girl-child, also touched issues that bordered on female reproductive health.

Speaking at the occasion, Hajiya Halimatu Amshi, Coordinator of the Initiative, observed that cases of rape of female children, was on the increase, hence the need to educate them on protection measures.

“Child rape is on the increase, the girl child and mothers need to be enlightened to say no to violence against women. The essence of this training is to sensitise the participants on how to protect their bodies; they should not allow anybody to play with their bodies.”

Amshi said girl-child and mothers from Internally Displaced Persons camps and host communities, were carefully for the workshop.

The coordinator commended stakeholders for supporting the project adding that “the support rendered by religious and community leaders in the fight against domestic and sexual violence, is quite encouraging.”

“This support has tremendously assisted women and girls to overcome cultural barriers, which initially silenced women from speaking out against and exposing sexual violence in communities across the state.”

Hajiya Fatsuma Mohammad, a lecturer with Yobe State University, who presented a paper entitled ‘Educating the girl-child: A panacea to her health and domestic problems,’ said education equips the girl-child with solutions to safe sex and productive lives, among others.

“As women become more educated, they are less likely to be at a disadvantage in a society bedeviled with problems of militancy, terrorism, poverty, early marriage, as well as domestic and sexual violence.”

Mrs Ramatu Habu and Aisa Bukar, internally displaced women in Damaturu, said the training had equipped them better to watch and protect their daughters from abuse.

Miss Hauwa Musa, a girl child and participant at the training, said she would serve as ambassador of girls against domestic violence and sexual abuse.

“I will mobilise other girls, especially rape victims, to share their experiences with others for a campaign against violence.” (NAN)

•Photo shows rape victim.

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