Project Alert on Violence Against Women, a non-governmental organisation, has strongly advocated for a more expansive understanding of sexual violence against minors, urging a move beyond the narrow perception that solely focuses on rape. This significant call was made during the close-out meeting of its impactful three-year initiative, specifically designed to address sexual violence and its effects on young persons within academic institutions. The meeting convened in Calabar, marking the culmination of a project that commenced in 2022.

The initiative, which collaborated with the Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) and received vital support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), was strategically implemented across ten schools – five each in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. Ms. Nsini Udonta, Senior Programme Officer at Project Alert, explained that the genesis of the project stemmed from a distressing 2012 survey. This survey unveiled alarming data, indicating that a staggering 77 per cent of sexual violence victims were children aged between zero and 17 years, with a significant proportion of these incidents tragically occurring within school environments.

To combat this pervasive issue, the project, aptly named “Kasa” – a Hausa word meaning “speak out” – was meticulously developed. Its core objective was to foster awareness among students through the establishment of dedicated school clubs and the execution of various educational activities, empowering young individuals to voice their experiences and concerns.

Reflecting on the conclusion of the project, Mrs. Ndodeye Bassey-Obongha, Head of Programmes at GPI, shared the emotional weight of its ending and expressed pressing concerns regarding its long-term sustainability in Cross River State. She highlighted that while 'Kasa' sessions over the past two years successfully encouraged young girls to speak out against sexual violence, the formidable challenge now lies in maintaining this crucial momentum after the project’s official conclusion. Mrs. Bassey-Obongha further pointed out that despite Cross River State having integrated Sexuality Education, also known as Family Life and HIV Education, into its school curriculum since 2003, its impact has been regrettably curtailed by poor institutional memory and a lack of continuity. She emphasized the critical need for incoming officials, including commissioners, permanent secretaries, and directors, to diligently review handover notes from their predecessors, asserting that proper documentation and seamless continuity are absolutely essential for enduring progress.

Dr. Gloria Bassey, the Chief Consultant for the project in Cross River, elaborated on the intervention’s scope, which encompassed two tertiary institutions and three secondary schools within the state. She underscored a prevalent initial misconception among many students who, she noted, understood sexual violence only as rape, remaining largely unaware of other insidious forms of abuse. Furthermore, Dr. Bassey revealed that students were frequently unfamiliar with appropriate reporting channels, often confiding solely in friends when attempting to report incidents due to a significant distrust of school counselors, principals, and even parents. To bridge this critical gap, the project initiated “Kasa” clubs aimed at comprehensively educating students on the multifaceted nature of sexual violence and informing them about established reporting mechanisms. Dr. Bassey proudly affirmed, “Thanks to these clubs, we have seen significant progress. Students are now more vocal, cases are being reported and addressed, and there’s been a visible shift in behaviour.” She concluded by issuing a strong plea to the state government and other potential partners to continue this profoundly important work.

The positive ripple effect of the initiative extended to law enforcement, as acknowledged by CSP Philomena Modor, Head of the Gender Unit at the Cross River State Police Command. She conceded that prior to the project’s intervention, challenges existed in managing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases. However, she affirmed that the robust support and collaborative efforts from this project and its stakeholders have made a substantial and undeniable difference in addressing such cases more effectively.

The close-out meeting itself was a testament to the collaborative spirit, drawing a diverse array of participants from key state Ministries, including Education, Justice, Women Affairs, and Health. Representatives from the Basic Rights Council Initiative and other influential advocacy groups were also in attendance, collectively reinforcing the widespread commitment to combating sexual violence against minors.