NYSC promises to support anti-GBV initiatives.

The National Youth Service Corps has stated that it will support national programs to combat gender-based violence.

During the launch of the first phase of the grassroots gender sensitization and advocacy campaign in rural areas for Northern states on Wednesday in Bauchi, NYSC Director General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu made the pledge.

He added that the plan would use Corps Gender Vanguard Community Development Service units as foot troops throughout the nation’s 774 Local Government Areas to promote a campaign against all types of inequity.Nafiu disclosed that “Gender issues are often misconstrued as affecting females alone, but it is important to note that they include matters of concern to both genders in terms of their rights, roles, and responsibilities.” The DG, who was represented by Rifkatu Yakubu, the NYSC state coordinator for Bauchi, explained that the advocacy and sensitization campaign was a well-thought-out initiative of the Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement Department of NYSC. He said the development is aimed at exposing the evils of gender-based violence and gender inequality in society.

“We are here to emphasise that no individual should be denied the opportunity to realise their potential, hence our appeal to all stakeholders to be more supportive, proactive and sensitive to gender matters.

“The overall achievements of NYSC in its efforts at reducing the incidences of Gender Based Violence in rural communities cannot be overemphasised.

“Through the relevant CDS groups, the Scheme has facilitated the formation of Gender Clubs in schools in addition to providing links to victims of gender abuse through the GBV toll-free line of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.”Nafiu urged for the necessary assistance in the fight against GBV while reassuring that the program would keep working with the pertinent stakeholders to ensure the success of gender mainstreaming in the nation. A student representative, Hafsat Yusuf, commented on her statement that they have been trained on how to speak up and report any abuse to the security agencies, and she was confident that “I will share the knowledge gained with my friends in school and at home.”