The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) across Nigeria, especially in rural communities.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025 NYSC grassroots gender sensitisation and advocacy campaign in Bauchi, Director-General Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu said the scheme would use Corps members to lead the fight through the Gender Vanguard Community Development Service (CDS) groups.
Themed “Breaking the Circle of Ignorance,” the initiative will deploy Corps members across all 774 local government areas to raise awareness and challenge all forms of gender inequality.
Represented by Rifkatu Yakubu, the Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, Nafiu said the campaign was a well thought out initiative of the Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement Department of NYSC, aimed at exposing the ills of GBV and gender inequality in the society.
“While gender issues are often misconstrued as affecting females alone, it is important to note that they include matters of concern to both genders in terms of their rights, roles and responsibilities.
“We are here to emphasise that no individual should be denied the opportunity to realise their potential, hence our appeal to all stakeholders to be more supportive, proactive and sensitive to gender matters.
“The overall achievements of NYSC in its efforts at reducing the incidences of Gender Based Violence in rural communities cannot be over emphasised.
“Through the relevant CDS groups, the scheme has facilitated the formation of Gender Clubs in schools in addition to providing links to victims of gender abuse.
“This is done through the GBV toll-free line of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs,” he said.
While soliciting for more support in the war against GBV, Nafiu aed ssurthat the scheme would continue to work with relevant stakeholders towards the success of gender mainstreaming in Nigeria.
In their separate remarks, the representative of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF)and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), advised students to speak out and report any form of abuse to the security agencies.
It was reported that the theme of the 2025 first phase gender sensitisation and advocacy campaign in rural communities by the NYSC is ‘Breaking the Circle of Ignorance”.
