By our reporter
Education today for Sustainable Development Initiative (ETSDI), a non-governmental organisation and implementing partner with UNESCO for the implementation of Spotlight Initiative’s program on second chance education, has trained 50 facilitators to drive its Accelerated Second Chance Education for Women and Girls in Cross River State.
The facilitators, drawn from 11 communities in Obanliku and 9 communities in Obubra LGAs, have by their training, become ambassadors of ETSDI’s program targeted at young girls and women who are survivors of early/unintended pregnancy, child marriage, gender-based violence, as well as those living with HIV and disability.
The head of ETSDI program, Mrs Glory Brendan-Otuojor, intimated that 2000 out-of-school/marginalized women and girls are expected to be reached as beneficiaries of the second chance education initiative in the state
She therefore implored the facilitators, as partners and stakeholders in the realization of this goal, to work assiduously in ensuring that the target population is reached for the benefit of the learners, and by extension, their communities, LGAs and the state as a whole.
According to her, “when women are empowered with knowledge, the right information and skills, their ability to deal with gender-based violence and other undesirable situations becomes enhanced. Then, they’ll be able to make informed decisions, speak up for themselves and other women in their communities, and also be able to contribute meaningfully to their family’s well-being.”
In her goodwill message, the Director, Agency for Adult and Non-formal Education in Cross River, Mrs Clara Omini, implored the facilitators to effectively drive the process of giving the young girls and women a second chance at getting educated and empowered through the acquisition of skills and other life-enhancing skills.
The training module included an expose on the activities, goals and vision of the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative, Methodology for Non-formal Education, Family Life and Health Education/Life Skills, training on Gender Based Violence, as well as Financial Literacy and Monitoring Tools for the Implementation of Spotlight Initiative’s activities.
Other programs of ETSDI include capacity building training for education providers, school outreaches and campaign for girls’ education, and community advocacy and sensitization on GBV.
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