FGM: Project Smile sensitises Kaduna Community, harps on precautions

Mercy Onyenero, Kaduna

Project Smile for Humanity Foundation in collaboration with Smart Aid Initiative on Friday held a step down training in Marmara Community of Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna State, to raise awareness on the eliminate of Female Genital Mutilation and safeguarding the health and rights of women and girls.

Comfort Ojo, Executive Director of Project Smile, emphasized that the training was aimed to sensitize both adolescent boys and girls on the dangers of FGM, SGBV and precautions.

“We know how important it is for the adolescent to know their rights and speak out to the right source shunning all forms of intimidation.

“Parents need to have the knowledge of SGBV and rape so that whenever they see such occurrence in the community they should speak and stand up against any form of harassment ” she added.

Comfort noted that the NGO would return to the community because they’ve seen the need to educate the people more on SGBV.

The ED also thanked Smart Aid for partnering with them to achieve their purpose.

Representative of Kaduna State Coalition against SGBV, Grace Yohanna said the training was a wake up call for other organizations to pick up.

“Issues around FGM, SGBV and rape were established. With the knowledge gotten I believe the people are ready to speak up for themselves in the community.
“The calls of the community is now in their hands. But that doesn’t mean we are not going to come in when the need arise. But I know they will stand out for a better community ready to speak out” she added.

On his part, Vincent Samuel an adolescent expressed his gratitude over the training. He said he now have a better understanding on how to take care of himself and his younger ones against SGBV and rape.

The women leader of the community, Ruth Danjuma thanked the NGO for the knowledge impacted on the trainees and encourage them to keep up the good work.

Justina Chori, a participant having heard from the NGO expressed her bitterness on how victims in the community have being prohibited to speak out and their rights being denied.

“After being harassed and rape, most of the victims can’t move in the community because of shame. And this had made some of them to vacate from the community.

“But our eyes are now open, we will not allow our rights to be denied us again because we now know the right source to report to if such incidence occurs ” she added.

The training had 55 participants both adolescent boys, girls, and parents.