AHI Commemorates International Women's Day
The Comet Newspaper
March 21, 2004

As part of activities marking this year's International Women's Day, AHI organized a programme for teenagers in some parts of Lagos State. The theme was "Empowered to say no to sexual exploitation". The venue was AHI office, Jibowu. Omolara Akintoye was there.

International Women's day is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world when women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate. They can look back to tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. I.W.D. is the story of ordinary women as makers of history, it is rooted in society on an equal footing men. IWD is a time to call for change by such program organized by Action Health Incorporated for teenagers which has as its theme "Empowerment to say no to sexual exploitation".

Sexual exploitation is the use of force or violence to initiate sexual intercourse while sexual harassment is any other action that deprive people of their rights.

As a teenager either boy or girl you can do something to reduce sexual exploitation around you.

The aim of the programme according to Kayinsola Oluwabusol, Assistant Programme Officer AHI, who facilitated the programme is to increase the knowledge of young people about the different forms, causes and effect of sexual violence. Other reason is to increase the skills of young people to deal with cases of sexual exploitation or violence.

The programme which attracted students from over twenty secondary schools in Lagos afforded the teenagers opportunity to have an insight into issues about sexuality and how to say no effectively to sexual intercourse and sexual exploitation.

Teenagers were divided into four groups to discuss the following issues: (i) The causes of sexual exploitation and abuse; (ii) How to prevent sexual exploitation; (iii) Effects of sexual exploitation and abuse on the victim, and (iv) What a victim of sexual abuse/exploitation should do.

Group one came up with the following as causes of sexual exploitation/abuse: Improper dressing, poor communication, drug usage, stereotype ideas, keeping bad friends. Group 2 came up with the following on how to prevent sexual exploitation: Being assertive, learning self-control etc.

On the effects of sexual exploitation and abuse on the victim, group three gave the following reasons: Victim feels scared, ashamed and shy, lacks confidence. He/she is at risk of exposure to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies. Victims not only suffers physically but also emotionally, etc.

For the last group (four), a victim of sexual exploitation should do the following: Report to an elderly person, seek for proper counseling and medical checkup. Report at the nearest Police station, go for HIV test, people around her should comfort her and encourage her not to loose hope because he/she might kill him/herself.

"it is important to note that the victim is never at fault, therefore counsellor should provide useful information that will help the person to make a better decision in future.

During the myth and fact game session which was the last session, students were divided into two groups (A and B). It afforded the students opportunity to know the difference between the two words: Myth and Fact. Fact is something known to be true or accepted as true. Myth on the other hand is story, handed down from olden times especially concepts or beliefs about the early history of a race and is fictitious.

Questions asked included: Rape is usually committed by man - myth because women also commit rape. Men can't be raped - myth because men are sometimes raped.

Sexual harassment/rape is a violation of the right of the victim - fact.

Group B emerged the winner at the end of the session.