Child abuse in Nigerian schools has become a severe challenge to school authorities and stakeholders involved in child protection. However, with the increased rates of child abuse and with more focus on educating girls and women on how to defend themselves, a different approach becomes necessary to reduce its occurrence.
As such, the Boys 4 Change campaign targets boys in secondary schools to increase awareness among them on sexual harassment and abuse. The goal is to enhance attitudinal change among boys to become champions for sexual abuse fight for and defend girls’ rights at home, in school and their immediate environment.
To achieve this, we carried out a sensitization program in three schools, JSS Aleyita, JSS Kuchigoro and JSS Jabi. After which male ambassadors for change who were willing to stand up and voice out against sexual abuse emerged. The program also seeks to sensitize the male ambassadors, who will be given comprehensive training on different aspects of gender-based violence and how to protect themselves from abuse.