The training, officials said, formed parts of the organisation’s Gender Promotion Initiative 2.0 project funded activities.
The participants were drawn from the human rights clubs of Koba Kunda Upper & Senior School, Nasir Senior Secondary School, and Nyakoi Upper & Senior School all in URR.
During the training, the participants were taken through various topics including understanding human rights, FGM, child marriage, the government white paper on the TRRC and the UNSCR 1325.
Speaking at the convergence, Demba Jallow, the Principal of Koba Kunda Senior School, spoke at length on the significance of the initiative.
Further emphasising on the importance of the two days training, Jallow said: “It’s important that you take up the training with utmost seriousness as it addresses critical issues such as human rights issues and sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
Sanna Camara, a representative from the regional education directorate of region six, thanked Beakanyang for the training, while urging the teacher coordinators to support the clubs, highlighting that awareness of human rights issues is essential for nurturing good future leaders.
For his part, Nfamara Jawneh, the Executive Director of Beakanyang, said the training’s objectives include raising awareness about SGBV, and its negative impacts, increasing knowledge on how conflicts affect women and girls, and promoting their roles in peace-building.
Jawneh calls for greater female participation in the leadership of human rights clubs within schools, claiming that their intention among others is to expand the number of clubs to at least 60 by next year. This, he said, would include new child rights clubs in the Lower Basic Schools.
He urged the participants to network and take the training seriously as they would also undergo a one-month mentorship programme in order to strengthen their advocacy skills.
Ebrima Sorry Bah, the secretary general of the Nasir human rights club, said: “I feel empowered with this training and would like to thank Beakanyang for the opportunity. I will use the knowledge gained to reach out to other students and my wider community with a view to promote gender equality,” he promised.
Fatoumatta N. Fatty, another participant, also underscored the importance of the training, saying: “As a girl, I will assimilate the knowledge gained from this training to fellow students and community members. I will also advocate for gender equality and women empowerment.”
Falalo Jagne, President of Koba Kunda Human Rights Club who also doubles as the School’s Head Boy, said: “I feel incredibly honored and excited to attend such a training. This opportunity was a privilege, thus it allowed me to gain valuable insights and skills on advocating for human rights especially gender equality.”
“I have also learned how to foster respect, understanding, and inclusion within my school community. Therefore, as head boy, I plan to spread this message by organizing interactive sessions and discussions with my peers,” he disclosed.
