By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Adolescent Girls and Young Women, AGYW, living in IDP camps across Benue State have been encouraged to form peer support networks to strengthen solidarity, build resilience, and protect themselves against gender-based violence, GBV, and other abuses that threaten their future.
This call was made by Becky Gbihi, Senior Programme Officer at Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, during a 2-day capacity building workshop held at the International Modern Market and Ichwa IDP Camps, Makurdi.
The training, organized in collaboration with Purposeful, empowered about 60 girls aged 12–18 years under the theme: “Building Confidence, Health, and Safety.”
Gbihi explained that the training was designed to help participants take care of their bodies, protect themselves from abuse, and support one another.
She noted that peer-to-peer support, captured in the activity “My Sister’s Keeper Pledge”, encourages the girls to look out for each other in order to prevent cases of rape, unprotected sex, child molestation, and other forms of GBV.
Gbihi outlined the objectives of the workshop to include: enhancing the well-being and safety of girls in IDP camps, raising awareness on GBV, human rights abuses, and bodily autonomy, improving menstrual hygiene management, preventing unplanned pregnancies, and
offering psycho-social support to strengthen solidarity among girls.
According to Gbihi, “The capacity building is imperative because girls in IDP camps are highly vulnerable to abuses and parental neglect, adding that with the knowledge gained on menstrual hygiene, rights awareness, and assertiveness, CWIDI was optimistic that the girls will be better equipped to protect themselves and achieve a brighter future.”
During a session on Understanding GBV, facilitator Doofan Daga explained that GBV can take physical, emotional, sexual, and even online forms, often leading to consequences such as unplanned pregnancies, early marriages, and diseases, including HIV.
She stressed that silence enables perpetrators and urged survivors to speak out and report to parents, camp leaders, NGOs, or the police.
Daga further advised participants to avoid risky situations such as walking alone in isolated places or engaging in unsafe night activities.
Another facilitator, Ruth Agene, CWIDI’s Communication Expert, led sessions on Building Self-Worth, Assertiveness, and Sisterhood.
She encouraged the girls to speak out on issues that threaten their goals, avoid negative peer pressure, dress decently, and remain focused on education and personal development.
