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Kazeem Awojoodu
Members of the Platform for Amplifying the Voice and Empowerment of Girls (PAVE) have embarked on sensitization campaigns and community engagements across Lagos and Ogun states towards ensuring safer communities for every girl child.
The PAVE project, an initiative of HACEY, is designed to equip adolescent girls with the knowledge, leadership skills and confidence required to become advocates for positive change within their communities.
The campaign provided an avenue for the PAVE girls to interact with parents, community leaders, teachers and other stakeholders on the need to tackle sexual harassment, bullying and teenage pregnancy in their communities.
The engagements, which took place in Ota, Iloye and Agege in Ogun and Lagos states respectively, featured panel discussions on the theme, “How Can We End Teenage Pregnancy in Communities?”. Other activities included advocacy drama performances and community rallies aimed at raising awareness on the protection of girls.
During the programmes, the PAVE girls emphasised the importance of creating homes and communities where girls feel safe to speak out, seek support and report cases of abuse without fear of discrimination, blame or judgement.
They stressed that protecting the girl child is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of parents, teachers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
The PAVE girls also encouraged their peers to seek help from appropriate channels and trusted individuals whenever they experience any form of abuse.
Participants expressed concerns over several issues affecting girls that often receive little public attention or media coverage.
They noted that communities and relevant stakeholders must work together to create environments where children are protected, empowered and adequately supported.
The engagements further underscored HACEY’s belief that meaningful and lasting changes can be achieved when girls are empowered and given the opportunity to thrive.
