The initiative of journalists for the promotion and protection of specific groups in the Centre-North (IJPROGS / CN), in partnership with the association for support and awakening pugsada ( ADEP ), organized, on April 6, a theater-forum on child marriage and gender-based violence (GBV) for the benefit of internally displaced persons.
The awareness and advocacy caravan initiated by the IJPOGS/CN) and the ADEP, is part of the implementation of the Choose with whom and when to marry (CHAM) project.
According to the supervisor of the CHAM project, Daniel Ouédraogo, the objective is to protect children, especially young girls, against early/forced marriages and against all forms of gender-based violence (GBV).
Kongoussi's activity consisted of forum theater activities followed by raising awareness among populations on the IDP site of the small Kongoussi prison and correctional centre.
The theme developed related to the disadvantages of child marriage and the various forms of violence that women suffer in society.
According to the coordinator of IJPROGS/CN, Emil Segda, the release on Kongoussi was more than necessary.
“You are well aware that internally displaced persons are much more exposed to violence in this period of security and humanitarian crisis. And we wanted through this animation, to change the mentalities vis-a-vis the various GBV”, he continued.
The provincial director in charge of Gender in Bam, Martine Topan/Bansé welcomed this initiative by journalists and ADEP who have decided to support the Burkinabè State in raising awareness.
For her, the phenomenon of child marriage is very real in Bam. According to him, the situation is very worrying and poverty is one of the main causes.
Regarding GBV, she revealed that Internally Displaced Women (IDF) are very exposed in view of their vulnerable situation.
“Among this violence, we can cite, among others, rape, physical violence and cases of denial of pregnancy that we continue to record,” lamented Ms. Bansé.
In the plea, the secretary general of the province (SGP) of Bam, Karim Ouédraogo who received the caravaneers, praised their initiative.
As a result, he urged the targets concerned to get involved with the caravaneers so that the situation of GBV is reversed in his administrative district.
Funded by the NGO Plan international Burkina Faso thanks to the financial support of the NGO Plan International Germany, the CHAM project which started in November 2019, is scheduled to end in April 2023.
Source: Burkina Information Agency