GBV: Kwara L-PRES Conducts Training for Staff, Stakeholders
The Kwara State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has conducted a sensitization training on the prevention of sexual exploitation, and gender based violence in the State.
The programme held at the E-Phoenix Hotel, in Ilorin was titled "Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and "Gender Based Violence" (GBV) had in attendance, the State Project Coordinator, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Women Affairs, and State Coordinator for the National Human Rights Commission, among other stakeholders in the State.
In his brief welcome address, the State Project Coordinator, Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye said the training was organised to sensitize the project implementation staff and stakeholders on the implications of violating the PSEAH/GBV code of conduct in a workplace.
The Project Coordinator who reaffirmed the World Bank and State Government's zero tolerance for PSEAH/GBV, warned the participants to guide against such acts in order to have a safe working environment.
"World Bank has zero tolerance for workplace harassment, sexual harassment and exploitation, and L-PRES has a policy applicable to all stakeholders in our projects". he said
He, however, urged the participants to pay attention to the facilitators with a view to deepening their knowledge on PSEAH/GBV issues.
In her presentation, the State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Barrister Olajumoke Olaoye while speaking on legal implications of workplace harassment, PSEAH/GBV and its effect on the victims, said sexual harassment could come in different forms and there was need for people to familiar with the relevant laws to know the implications of their actions.
Barrister Olaoye described sexual harassment as an inappropriate sexual conduct, which causes discomfort and makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated thereby affecting the dignity of the other person.
She urged every organisation to take proactive steps to prevent it in their workplace to protect the image and dignity of the organisation and save them from litigation.
On her part, the representative of the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajia Maryam Ishola disclosed that the State Government through the Ministry has recorded about 368 GBV cases in 2024 and called for collaborative action from all the stakeholders to stop the menace.
She appreciated both the world bank and L-PRES Project in complementing the State government's efforts towards preventing incidents of GBV and SEAH in the State.
Earlier, the Project Gender Based Violence Officer, Mrs. Kuburat Ayoola Omoniyi disclosed that the objective of the training was to equip the participants with a comprehensive understanding of GBV and SEAH, familiarise with policies and standards as outlined by the world bank and to improve collaboration between GBV Officers, participants, community stakeholders and other relevant actors.
Highlights of the programme was the signing of the Code of Conduct on "Do No Harm" by the participants.
Yusuf Ganiyu Adebisi
Project Communication and ICT Officer
Kwara L-PRES.
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