Bayelsa State Gender Advocacy group, the Gender Response Initiative team led by its Chairman, Barr. Dise Goddy Harry visited the Internal Displaced camps in the State to intensify it’s sensitization campaign by educating the inhabitants of the various IDP camps to guard against illicit sexual acts including homosexuality, sodomy and prostitution.
The GRIT, while at the Ox Bow lake IDP camp, held sensitization talks with children, youths and women and also gave out sanitary pads to teenage girls and women.
Speaking during the sensitization campaign, Barr. Dise Goddy Harry urged the residents of the camps particularly the underaged to protect themselves against sexual violation, solicitation and violence, urging them to speak out if violated by anyone within and outside the IDP camps.
“We have observed that during an emergency gathering of people such as IDP camps, there are worrisome rise in illicit sexual acts and violation. We are here to educate them and urge them to “Tell” if violated.”
She also commended the State Governor,Senator Douye Diri for the orderly nature of the IDP camps and the display of capacity to organise the state and the victims of the flood to a safer and conducive environment during the humanitarian disaster.
She also stated that this sensitization will be a continuos one to the IDP camps in the state.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of GRIT and Chairperson of National Association of Women Journalists Bayelsa State chapter (NAWOJ), Comrade Maria Olodi – Osumah, also urged the residents of the IDP camps not to be cowed by the threats of violence or death after they are violated, “But that they should reach our to the various gender advocacy groups or the Police to report such violation.”
In her submission, the IDP Coordinator and Member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Koku Obiyah Ebiowo (Yenagoa 3), expressed concern over recent observations in the camp, commended the Gender Advocacy group, GRIT, over the sensitization visit to educate resident of the camp against illicit sexual acts.
