Group trains Gombe adolescents to fight rape

The Executive Director of Care for Life Mission, Mr Placidus Peters, has said over 27,00, Gombe adolescents have been trained to make informed choices relating to their Sexual and Reproductive Health. This is in view of the increasing rate of rape cases in the state.

Peters stated this on Monday at the graduation ceremony to commemorate Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health with the theme community Win-Win sports/Games Competition.

He said through Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make informed choices for their Health (REACH) project with the support of Save the Children International, CLM is working for improved access to high quality, gender-sensitive and adolescent-friendly Sexual Reproductive Health services for over 34,000 unmarried and married adolescent girls and boys,10-19 years in Gombe.

"Using an innovative, participatory and transformative model known as CHOICES, VOICES, and PROMISES. We are glad that over 2,700 adolescents girls and boys who are graduating today gave been equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to make informed life decisions including their health and positive gender norms".

The District Head of Dong, in Balanga LGA, Ibrahim Bello, thanked care for life mission and Save the Children International. He said "The sense of responsibility of our girls and boys have been increased since the program commenced. We are glad that our town was considered".

Emmanuel Habila, Gender officer I, Care for Life mission, he said: "The 2,700 have passed through rigorous training using ARSH-Life skills & how to live healthy and CHOICES- positive transformation from negative gender norms to positive gender norms curriculum by save the children".

Football competition was one of the highlight of the graduation where Dong and Talasse came head to head, Dong team won by five goals to nil and presentation of certificates to finalists.