C’River Stakeholders Intensify Efforts to Curb Sexual Abuse in Schools
By Ekanem Asuquo
Stakeholders in Cross River State have renewed their commitment to ending sexual abuse in schools through sustained advocacy, awareness creation, and support for survivors.
The latest effort came as Project Alert, in collaboration with the Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI), launched a “Kasa (Speak Out)” Club at the Special Education Secondary School in Calabar. The initiative, supported by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), seeks to provide safe spaces for students, especially those with special needs, to report and speak out against sexual abuse.
Speaking at the launch, the Head of Programmes at the GPI Calabar Centre, Mrs Ndodeye Bassey-Obongha, said the project aims to promote preventive education, uphold students’ rights, and empower adolescents to report cases of abuse without fear or stigma.
She described the event as both impactful and emotional, disclosing that several students shared disturbing accounts of sexual violence. “The number of cases narrated by these adolescents shows that there is still much work to be done to ensure safe learning spaces for all children,” she said.
According to her, the Kasa Club will help bridge communication gaps, raise awareness, and equip students with knowledge and confidence to speak up and seek help when violated.
The organisers emphasized that adolescents with disabilities face higher risks of abuse due to communication barriers and lack of adequate protection measures. They noted that the club will also serve as a platform for inclusive dialogue and peer support.
Project Alert and GPI pledged continued collaboration with relevant agencies to strengthen child protection systems and ensure that every school in the state becomes a safe learning environment.
The event ended with the distribution of educational materials and a collective pledge by students to serve as “safety ambassadors” who will promote respect, consent, and accountability among their peers.
