In an ongoing effort to combat sexual violence and empower young people, the Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CYDPAN), with support from the African Women’s Development Foundation (AWDF), continued its impactful Prevention of Sexual Violence, Safety, and Support for Survivors project with a powerful sensitization session at Community Secondary School, Ekeya.
The session, led by Mrs. Mfoniso Isaiah, provided an important platform for educating students on the various forms of sexual violence. Mrs. Isaiah covered critical topics, including verbal harassment, unwanted physical touch, and sexual harassment. She also underscored the importance of self-respect and encouraged students to value themselves for who they are. “You must know your worth and speak up against any form of harassment,” she urged the students, inspiring confidence and empowerment.
A key highlight of the session was the inauguration of the KASA (SPEAK UP) Club, a student-led initiative designed to sustain the conversation around sexual violence prevention and create a culture of accountability within the school. The club aims to be a proactive force in educating peers, advocating for safe spaces, and addressing any incidents of harassment or violence.
The school’s Vice Principal represented by Mrs. Ndifreke Itat expressed deep gratitude to CYDPAN and AWDF for bringing such an essential program to the school. In her vote of thanks, she encouraged the students to take the lessons they had learned to heart and to always SPEAK UP against injustice and harassment. “This knowledge will help you protect yourselves and others,” she added, reinforcing the session’s powerful impact.
To further support the school’s ongoing efforts, CYDPAN provided essential resources, including SPEAK UP activity guides designed to engage and educate students on preventing sexual violence. The school was also equipped with important legal frameworks, such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and the Unified Response Protocol and Referral Pathway for GBV Cases, ensuring that students have the tools to take action if necessary.
This sensitization session is part of CYDPAN’s broader commitment to creating safer schools and communities by empowering young people to take an active stand against sexual violence. With initiatives like this, CYDPAN and AWDF are helping to raise a generation of students who value dignity, safety, and respect, paving the way for a future free from violence and fear.
Together, CYDPAN, AWDF, and the students of Community Secondary School, Ekeya, are driving change, one conversation at a time.
