Violence: Experts harps on gender awareness

Prof. Babatunde Solagberu, Provost, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), on Thursday said there was need for improved gender awareness and sensitisation among Nigerian youths to reduce incidences of violence and abuse.

Solagberu said this at the 2017 Children’s Day Symposium organised by the Paediatric Unit of Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), in Lagos.

The symposium, which was in commemoration of the 2017 Children’s Day celebration which comes up on May 27, has its theme as: “Gender Based Violence, Protecting the Girl Child”.

Sholagberu, who was represented by Prof. Anthonia Ogbera, an Associate Professor of Medicine at LASUCOM, said that gender violence was one of the most pervasive violations of human rights in the world.

According to him, it is also the least prosecuted crime and poses threats to lasting peace and development.

“Gender-based violence against women means violence that affects women disproportionally violates their human rights and it is also a form of discrimination against women.

“They include violent-based acts that are likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women; also included are threats of such acts.

“It is estimated that seven out of 10 women in some countries face physical and sexual violence in their lifetime.

“One in three girls in developing countries like Nigeria is likely to be married as a child bride; also, about 140 million girls and women have suffered female genital mutilation,’’ he said.

The don said that violence against women had tremendous cost to communities, nations and societies, resulting in quality and quantity of life for affected victims.

“In a resource constrained society like ours, preventing violence against women is key and our youths should be the main target in curtailing such acts.

“An adolescent boy in school who learns about health and sexuality must be taught that coercion, violence and discrimination against girls are unacceptable,’’ he said.

Also, Dr Oliver Ezechi, Head, Clinical Sciences Department, NIMR, said that the primary aim of the event was to promote the rights and well-being of Nigerian children.

Ezechi, who was represented by Dr Nkiru David, a Paediatric Surgeon from the Clinical Sciences Department, NIMR, said that it was also aimed at informing the general public to serve as advocates for the protection of the girl child.

According to him, the topic for the day is also to raise awareness on the effects of child violence because the children of today are Nigeria’s future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that students and teachers from various schools in Lagos state attended the symposium.

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