OCI Foundation, an International Non-Governmental Organization, has said that the bill for an Act to establish preventive measures on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) into curriculum of all secondary schools and collages of education is a major breakthrough in the fight against the menace in the country.
In a statement, the President of the Organization, Professor Chris Ifediora, explained that the bill would empower Nigerians, especially children, to be knowledgeable about sexual and gender-based violence-related issues.
He said its inclusion in the curriculum of Colleges of Education would empower or have the potential teachers trained in that area so they can impact the knowledge on the students.
Professor Ifediora said the bill, when assented to would create more awareness on the subject matter to our young people.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to make this a reality by assenting to the bill.
“This OCI Foundation-inspired bill for an act to establish preventive measures on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence into the School Curricula has already been passed by both the Nigerian House of Representatives and the Senate.
“When signed into law, it will see to the inclusion of Preventive Measures and Teachings of Anti-Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) into the Civic Education curriculum at all levels of secondary school in Nigeria.
“This is a more preventive and sustainable approach to addressing issues of SGBV in our society as against the usual Victim Based Approach being practiced, as it arms young Nigerians with the knowledge, preventive measures, relevant protective laws, and referral pathways for case management of SGBV cases,” he explained.
According to him, the bill was originally sponsored by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, the chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Member representing the Owan Federal Constituency.
