By Loveth Asogwa,
Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) in collaboration with Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) on Monday 6th December 2021, in Abuja, visited School for the Deaf Kuje in FCT with the theme: Body Safety “STOP THE VIOLENCE”.
The program was supported by Ipas Nigeria to create awareness among Deaf girls on sexual and gender based violence.
Mrs. Helen Beyioku-Alase, Executive Director, DWAI and National president DWAN while speaking to the Deaf students said that Violence is wrong and we are fighting to safeguard the health right of women and girls with disabilities, every November 25 women all over the world is fighting and advocating against violence, abuse and rape, when they ask us to keep quiet! we will say NO, we want to voice out, we do not want to be SILENCE again, people should not keep quiet whenever they see a rape happens, speak up.
She said that the team will be teaching them 3 things firstly personal hygiene, how to keep their body clean, focus on their body and do not allow anybody to touch their body no matter who that person is. *We should always speak up and do not be afraid of any person”.
“Secondly do not ignore your bodies and finally, stop violence or any form of abuse by speaking up”.
Ipas Nigeria representative, Ephraim Awosejo, in his goodwill message appreciated DWAI for this outreach said it was actually coming at the best time since it is within the 16 day activism against gender based violence.
He encouraged all the girls students to always speak up against any form of violence and always voice out when it is necessary, he also appreciated the management of School of the Deaf Kuje, FCT for giving them this opportunity to reach out to the girls in the school, and he hopes that the students will take their education and their health issues serious because it is very important.
Mrs. Bose Enuiyin, the School Counselor and Secretary General, DWAN taught the students that is a must for them to keep their body clean, from their head to toe or else they will fall sick especially during menstruation. Some students uses clothes, tissue papers instead of using sanitary pad and changing it as and when necessary rather they will use dirty things which makes most of them to develop body odour. Menstruation is not sickness, so she urged them to always take care of themselves on daily basis and during menstruation and go to the clinic when you feel sick, or when you have cramps.
Mrs. Helen Beyioku-Alase taught participants on violence and different forms of abuse and how to know when their rights are being violated, finally what to do about it once they face any form of violence.
Finally the students were able to ask questions on things that they do not understand about their body and some experiences they faces as young girls.
The team was able to tackle all their misconceptions and finally the school clinic nurse, Rahmat Tsah also answered some of their question based on their health issues.
Other notable personalities at the event were Deaconess Adedoyin Beiyoku-Alase, Founder DWAN, Mrs Blessing Ikwueze DWAN PRO, Ndidi Rita Okonta, coordinator of Kuje Persons With Disabilities and a member of DWAN.
