The Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path Initiative (FEYReP) continued its statewide sensitisation campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other social vices among secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State with visit to the Asutan Ekpe Comprehensive Secondary School, Okop Ndua Erong in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. The visit a third in the latest series of its sensitisation campaigns which is aimed at reaching students and teachers through interactive and educative sessions focused on awareness creation, prevention strategies, and the consequences of GBV and other social vices among young people.
Speaking on the overview of GBV, the Head of the Counselling Unit, Lady Aniebiet-Abasi Akpan, stressed the importance of early education on Gender-Based Violence. She highlighted various forms of GBV, including rape, sexual assault, physical assault, child abuse and neglect, denial of resources, and online violence, noting that many cases often go unreported due to fear, stigma, and lack of awareness.
She encouraged students to speak out against abuse and seek help from trusted authorities whenever they experience or witness violence.
Also speaking, the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Pastor Idorenyin Atti, urged students to avoid all forms of violence and antisocial behaviour. Referring to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, he informed the students about the legal consequences and penalties attached to acts of Gender-Based Violence and other forms of violence against humanity.
He further warned students against the dangers of drug abuse and gambling, describing such behaviours as destructive pathways capable of ruining their future. He advised the students to resist peer pressure and negative influences and instead focus on their education and personal development in order to become responsible and successful members of society.
In her remarks, the Principal of the School Secondaryd FEYReP for organising the sensitisation programme, describing it as timely and impactful. Ably represented by an English teacher, Mrs Eteanwan Ubong Joshua, who noted that such engagements are necessary for guiding students away from social vices and helping them make positive life choices that will secure their future.
Some students, including the Senior Prefect of the school, Master Wisdom Enefiok Elijah, and Master Ekpenyong Abasiefreke Micheal, expressed appreciation to FEYReP for the enlightenment programme. They stated that the session had helped them better understand issues relating to rape, harassment, sexual assault, physical assault, drug abuse, and other social vices.
A major highlight of the event was the distribution of educational materials to students who actively participated and answered questions correctly during the interactive session.
FEYReP also urged members of the public to report cases of Gender-Based Violence through its support and counselling lines: 08033316234 and 09082027296.
