Creating gender and sexual-based violence awareness for our children

Gender and sexual-based violence is one of the most rampant forms of violence we've experienced and heard about in our world today, and it's quite unfortunate that our children are one of the most common victims of such violence. That's why General Hospital Epe, Lagos and Salimah Muse-Ariyoh Health Foundation Nigeria decided to collaborate in order to create awareness among the children and guide them on what to do when faced with such a situation going forward. This video comprises the teachings and questions of children who are either going through it or have witnessed it, as well as the procured solution slated for them by the organizer, and I brought it here so we can learn from it and also share it with our wards.

The awareness was tagged NOT IN MY LAGOS, and that's quite significant because Lagos being one of the top places where such forms of violence occur, it's highly important that we have a society where parents, teachers, and communists come together to keep our children safe and equip them with the proper knowledge that's required to help them if they were to find themselves in such a situation.

The program kicked off with one of the key speakers, who elaborated on the meaning of the various keywords in the theme of the program, including gender, sexuality, violence, and awareness. Overall, the children were told that sexual base violence is said to have happened when there is no consent, and this can happen to anyone regardless of gender, although girl children and ladies are the majority of those who fall victim, but that doesn't give us a reason to not educate our boy children about the same, because they also experience the same.

For one, I was a victim of sexual-based violence on several occasions while growing up, and I couldn't even tell anyone because those I ought to report to were the same persons inflicting it, and that happened when I visited a relative during my childhood. One reason why such people go free is because we young ones weren't educated about sex and abuses that revolve around it while growing up; in fact, back then we saw parents not wanting to tell or let their children be aware of anything related to it, and this is why I'm excited that things are taking a new turn and sexual orientation is spreading like wildfire.

Moving forward, one of the key words told to the children was the fact that 'When you see something, say something'. This, in my opinion, is the way to go because most of those who inflict such forms of violence and abuse always find a way to inflict fear into their victims minds, so such children won't be able to speak up. But now, I believe each child present at this program and those that'll be educated about this will have the confidence to speak up regardless of any threat such a person posts to them.

While I'd love to dive further, I'll have to stop listening, but I'll advise that you take out time to watch the video because there are teachings from well-meaning personalities in society, from the police to Lagos state agencies responsible for handling such cases, medication professionals, and the like.

The video also shows how the children in attendance were asking questions about what they were just educated about, some of their personal experiences, and those that happened to their friends. When you listen to some of these questions, your heart will bleed at what these young kids are going through at such a tender age. Well, luckily, things will change now, and a way forward has been prescribed to them, because some of these kids even asked questions to the point where they asked, What if the person abusing me is the same person sponsoring my education?



It's quite disheartening, but that's the reality of our world today. Like I said, I was also a victim during my childhood, and looking at the statistics of such violence shown on the screen, I can't help but wonder why a reasonable person will sexually abuse kids from as young as 2 upward.

With this, I hope it is curbed and eradicated in our society, and then we can make the world and our society a safer and better place for our children.

Thanks so much for your time. Have a blessed and productive week ahead.