Edu Marshals’ Brainstorming Session With Young Girls In Asaba
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), known as Edu Marshals, with the support of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund and the Ford Foundation, has continued to endear itself to the hearts of many in the society, with its role in providing life-enhancing knowledge and empowerment for societal progress, as well as preparing young girls for future leadership positions, the recent of such activities being a Leadership Workshop for Young Girls, organised by the NGO in some schools in the state.
At Asagba Secondary School, Asaba, Delta State capital, under the theme: “Empowering The Female Child”, it was noted that the humanitarian work being done by Edu Marshals as an NGO, is under the auspices of Mrs. Stella Blaize, who was represented at the one-day leadership workshop at Asagba Secondary School, Asaba, by Mrs. Vera Orishede. The venue was filled to the brim by the female students of the school, whom Mrs. Orishede urged to see the workshop as an interactive session, while drumming the slogan: “Speak Out and Speak Up”, saying they are expected to report anyone, no matter how close, who is attempting to take undue advantage of them as young girls.
Mrs. Orishede, assisted by a colleague and one of the teachers of the school, went straight into educating and enlightening the young students based on the theme: “Empowering The Female Child.” The workshop was held by Edu Marshals in partnership with the Ford Foundation and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund. So to effectively empower the female students, as set out in the topic, Edu Marshals taught ways in which the young girls can become responsible citizens in the future, some of which include leadership qualities, such as self-discipline, humility, vision, hardwork, sacrifice and love for humanity, as well as ways to exhibit or manifest the above qualities. The students were armed with various measures to resist the antics of men and all others who may want to exploit them sexually or in any other unacceptable ways.
Some of the strategies they were taught is never to keep quiet or endure the abuse but to report immediately, speak out and speak up and share problems with others, while the young adolescents were also taught to always keep a safe distance from potential predators, so as not to put themselves in a disadvantageous position. Mrs. Orishede counseled the students as follows: “You should promptly report all forms of abuses or potential abuses, be it from family members, neighbours, in school, church and elsewhere.” She admonished the young students never to be afraid to report abuses, even when they are being threatened, as the law is always there to protect them, as long as they make bold to report such incidences.
During the interactive session, Mrs. Orishede shared real life experiences with the students, the lessons drawn from such lessons include that they should not endure but challenge the sexual overtures of self-seeking men. The students were also taught not to envy others, or to be moved by material possessions, as this could lead them into the temptation to fall for men for money. In the course of the workshop, which lasted for several hours, the students of Asagba Secondary School, Asaba fired questions from all cylinders, as some sought answers to scenarios, such as when they are threatened not to report abuses or why only a few women contested in the last general elections held across the country. Mrs. Orishede, replying to the latter question, said it was due to some social and cultural factors in the society, while urging all to be involved in ensuring more women affirmation in Nigerian politics.
The workshop provided a convivial atmosphere as the students shared jokes with the NGO, bringing forth so much laughter, such that it made the workshop an unforgettable experience. At the end, the students were entertained with drinks and all went away happy and filled with knowledge to make them better students and young girls.Doc1
