The Kogi State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, a World Bank-assisted programme, has commenced training of school principals and gender-based violence focal persons across the state.

The programme focal officer, James Peter, said the training was part of measures to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in schools.

In a statement, Mr Peter said the training would be conducted across the three senatorial districts.

He said it was designed to strengthen the capacity of participants to prevent, identify and appropriately respond to GBV and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment.

According to him, the training also aims to promote a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for girls in AGILE-supported schools.

“The purpose of this training on sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and GBV is centred on the girl-child in various schools. We believe that with this type of project ongoing now, there is a tendency to have issues of sexual violence in schools.

“That is why we want to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond appropriately to such cases,” he said.

Mr Peter said AGILE had zero tolerance for GBV-related incidents, urging participants to be proactive rather than wait for cases to escalate before taking action.

He urged GBV focal persons to ensure that cases of gender-based violence reported in schools were promptly documented and referred to the appropriate authorities.

He warned that failure to report such incidents could amount to shielding perpetrators and putting victims at risk.

“Whenever there is a case, report it. Do not keep quiet. If you fail to report a GBV case, it may mean that you are shielding the person involved,” he said.

(NAN)