The Female Advocacy Monitoring and Empowerment Foundation also known as FAME Foundation began a 16-day School-Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) activism programme at the indoor sport complex, Old parade ground Abuja.

Comprising students drawn from secondary schools around the Federal Capital Territory, the programme seeks to train participants on self-defence skills against gender-based violence in schools.

The Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, assured participants of the programme of adequate enlightenment and preparation against any form of gender-based violence.

In her words, “every girl shall exit this space with heightened confidence and zero doubts that she can defend herself against occurrence of GBV and take action within and around her school.” 

She thanked the French Embassy and other civil society organisations for supporting the programme.

The guest speaker, Camille Oren from the French Embassy applauded FAME Foundation for organising the events. Ms Oren noted that gender-based violence has affected millions of families, children and communities all over the world most especially during the pandemic.

She further stated that the France Embassy is proud to support the foundation as the initiative is part of a larger campaign supported by the French diplomacy to curb the fight against gender-based violence.

A student from Government Secondary School Jabi, Success Swedy, told reporters that she has learnt a lot from the initiative and is ready for any form of attack.

She further charged the foundation to organise such initiatives often so as to keep girls in the loop of taking care of themselves.