Group enlightens students
on gender roles
By IME OLA
Tuesday,
June 3, 2008
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cross section of participants at the event
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Action Health International, a non-governmental organization
dedicated to the promotion of adolescent health and development,
joined other bodies around the world, to mark the International
Day of Action on Women’s Health on May 28, with a gender-based
activity for students.
The event, which took place in the multi-purpose hall of the
AHI Youth Centre, in Yaba, Lagos, attracted more than a hundred
young people from different schools in Kosofe, Mainland and
Shomolu Local Education Districts.
It kicked off at 3p.m with a comedy session by talented students.
Later, Mr. Olusegun Sangowawa, programme officer, Africa Region
Sexuality Resource Centre, Lagos, a project of AHI delivered
a paper on Gender Equality.
He gave a clear definition of gender and described the roles
as “behaviours that are considered appropriate for males
or females in a society.”
He told the students that gender roles are influenced by culture
and tradition and as a result, both male and female look towards
professions that suit them.
He also spoke extensively on gender inequality and its harmful
effects. Mr. Sangowawa explained: “Gender inequality
reduces women and girls effectiveness by failing to support
them in meeting their responsibilities, challenges and burdens;
may encourage violence against women and girls; may encourage
the exploitation of women and girls and affects the educational
growth of girls.”
He identified empowerment of women as a critical aspect of
promoting gender equality, noting that it was vital to sustainable
development and the realization of human rights for all.
He called on the students to fight against unfair discrimination
against women and girls by organizing a class debate on the
issue, talking to their parents, teachers and friends about
it as well as writing an essay, article or poem for the school
or youth magazine.
There was a drama presentation on gender inequality by students
of Baptist Senior High School, Obanikoro, to add colour to
the event.
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