The Executive Director, FAME Foundation, Ms Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, says girls experience more high level of physical, sexual and emotional abuse in schools.
Ogunleye-Bello said this Wednesday in Abuja at a stand up against School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) training for students, in commemoration of the global 16 Days of Activism, organised in conjunction with the French Embassy.
According to her, the event was informed by the increasing rate of violence against girls in schools.
She said SRGBV are acts or threats of sexual, physical, or psychological violence perpetrated due to gender norms and stereotypes in and around schools.
‘It violates the fundamental rights of children and is a form of gender discrimination, having wide-ranging consequences for their physical and emotional well-being, school performance and attendance, and the likelihood of experiencing or perpetrating future violence.
“In Nigeria, boys and girls in schools endure high levels of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, with girls experiencing more of the latter,” she said.
Project Officer at the French Embassy, Camille Oren, said in Nigeria, 44% of girls have experienced one or more forms of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by teachers and/or classmates.
“This violence has far-reaching consequences on the child’s physical, mental, sexual, and emotional well-being. Sexual harassment within the school environment can interfere with students’ educational opportunities, especially among girls.
“This initiative is part of a larger campaign supported by French diplomacy to support the fight against gender-based violence,” she added.
