PAAN Empowers 30 Students at Kubwa Government Primary & Secondary School to Mark International Day Against Gender-Based Violence

Abuja, Nigeria — In commemoration of the International Day Against Gender-Based Violence, the Peace Ambassadors Advocacy Network (PAAN) carried out a student-focused empowerment and sensitization outreach at Kubwa Government Primary and Secondary School, Abuja, where 30 students were empowered with educational support, advocacy awareness, and life-skills guidance.

The outreach formed part of PAAN’s ongoing commitment to protecting the rights of children, promoting gender equality, and building a violence-free society through early education and grassroots engagement. During the program, students received empowerment materials and participated in interactive sessions centered on understanding gender-based violence, personal safety, mutual respect, and the importance of speaking up against abuse.

Speaking at the event, Amb. Onuche Kingsley Itodo, Founder and President of PAAN, emphasized that tackling gender-based violence must begin with young people.

“When children are educated early about dignity, equality, and respect, they grow into adults who reject violence and stand for peace. Empowering students today is an investment in a safer and more inclusive society tomorrow,” he stated.

PAAN representatives also encouraged the students to become young peace advocates within their schools and communities, reinforcing the message that everyone has a role to play in ending gender-based violence.

School authorities commended PAAN for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful, especially in shaping the mindset of young learners on issues of gender respect, protection, and peaceful coexistence.

This empowerment activity aligns with PAAN’s broader mission of advancing peacebuilding, human rights advocacy, and women and girls’ empowerment across Nigeria, in line with global efforts to end gender-based violence.