As part of ongoing efforts to promote awareness and advocacy among secondary school students against School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV), the Abon Abang Empowerment Foundation (AAEF), in collaboration with Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative (HUWIB), on Wednesday successfully organised an inter-school debate for secondary schools in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The event, which took place at the Government Technical College, Obubra, brought together students and teachers to engage in constructive dialogue on the theme: “Should schools be held accountable for not preventing school-related gender-based violence?”
In his opening remarks at the programme, the Executive Director of AAEF, Engr. Dr. George Ndifon Abang, emphasised the urgent need to address all forms of violence affecting students, particularly girls, within and around schools in Obubra Local Government Area. He noted that school-related gender-based violence remains a major barrier to quality education, personal development, and the overall wellbeing of young people.
Dr. Abang explained that the debate was designed to empower students with knowledge, build their confidence to speak up against abuse, and encourage them to become advocates for safe and inclusive learning spaces. According to him, “When students are given the opportunity to express themselves and engage critically on social issues like gender-based violence, they become part of the solution rather than silent victims.”
He further stressed that ending SRGBV requires collective responsibility, calling on parents, teachers, school administrators, traditional leaders, and government authorities to work together to protect children and uphold their rights to safety and dignity in educational settings.
On her part, the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, represented by the Special Adviser on Gender Mainstreaming and Chairman, Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative, Dr. Inyang Asibong, highlighted that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a major barrier preventing children-especially girls-from accessing education in a safe and fear-free environment. She encouraged students to challenge harmful stereotypes, respect one another, and report incidents of abuse through appropriate channels.
She reaffirmed that the Wife of the Governor, through her pet project HUWIB, remains committed to youth empowerment, the promotion of gender equality, and sustained advocacy and community-based interventions across Cross River State.
Teachers, students, and other participants from Government Technical College, Obubra, Community Secondary Commercial School, Ofodua, and Community Secondary School, Apiapum, commended the Cross River State Government, HUWIB, and AAEF for their strong stance against gender-based violence and commitment to humanitarian service. They noted that the interventions of Governor Bassey Otu and his wife continue to make a lasting impact on residents, adding that the debate was timely and served as a reminder that gender-based violence affects the entire society, not just women and girls.
The high point of the event was the presentation of medals, cash prizes, and educational materials to outstanding participants and attendees.
