Protect the Girl Child Initiative
The Protect the Girl Child Initiative is the vision of Her Excellency Senator Iplaibo Harry Banigo, the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State. It was established to protect the rights of the girl child, eradicate violence (physical and sexual) against women and girls, support the creation of a robust legal framework about women and girls’ rights, and provide rehabilitation, counseling, and possible interventions necessary. This is in partnership with Doctors without Borders, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Medical Women’s Association (MWAN), and other non-governmental bodies in the Women and Girls industry.
Vision: To protect the Rights of the Girl-Child against all forms of abuse.
Mission: We are committed to eliminating all forms of abuse against the Girl-Child through advocacy, sensitization campaigns, and promoting education and skills empowerment. We desire to inspire the Girl-Child with the confidence to achieve all her dreams, and aspirations to become the leaders that our society needs to achieve economic development.
Objectives:
- To carry out awareness campaigns in Communities, Secondary and Tertiary institutions on sexual abuse, various forms of sexual abuse, and how to report and prevent it.
- To encourage victims of sexual abuse to break the silence and provide guidance on dealing with sexual abuse through legal and health interventions.
- To provide counseling services to victims of sexual abuse.
- To ensure that necessary legal action is taken against the perpetrators of sexual abuse.
- To collaborate with Civil Societies, Non-governmental Organisations, and Government Agencies to speak up against all forms of harmful practices against the Girl-Child.
- To encourage and support the education of the Girl-Child.
- To create awareness on Gender Based Violence and hw it can be eradicated.
- To sensitize Young Girls on the dangers of pre-marital sex and it’s inhibiting consequences.
- To lend hand in a fight against all forms of abuse against the Girl-Child through media campaigns.
- To create Peer Group clubs in secondary school to be used as a platform to have a closer interaction with the children on issues pertaining to sexual abuse.
- To collaborate wit Civil Societies and NGOs pushing for more laws to protect the rights of the Girl-Child against sexual abuse,
- To educate not only the Girls but the Boys too on matters relating to sexual abuse.
- To organise seminars, forums and campaigns for the purpose of discussing issues pertaining to Gender Based Violence.
FAQs
ANS: The following acts are sexually abusive
- Touching of a child’s private part.
- Encouraging or forcing a child to watch pornographic content.
- Engaging in sexual activity while a child is forced to sit and watch.
- Compelling a child to touch another child or adult’s private part.
- Kissing a child on the lips.
- Engaging in sexual activity with a child.
Note that your private parts include your buttocks, vagina, breast/chest, lips/mouth.
ANS: It is a sexual activity carried out by people who are not married. In the Bible, it is referred to as fornication. 1Cor 6:18-26
ANS: HIV/AIDS known as Human Immune Deficiency Virus is a virus transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, or vagina fluids. It spreads by sexual contact.
There is no cure, but treatment can help elongate the life of the infected carrier. Some symptoms of HIV infection are similar to flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and fatigue. Others include excessive weight loss or night sweats, dry cough, soreness in the throat, ulcer, etc. Thesymptoms differ in individuals. If you experience any of these symptoms you need to see a Doctor immediately for proper examination.
