Gender

SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Child Trafficking, Gender, Health, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

SPEAK WEDNESDAY – CHILD TRAFFICKING

Child Trafficking is a form of human trafficking and is defined by the United Nations as recruiting, transporting, transferring, and harboring a child for the purpose of slavery, forced labor and exploitation. Child trafficking occurs when children are taken away from safety and exploited. Children who are trafficked are often forced into some form of work, used for sex or simply sold.

Globally, 21 million people are trapped in forced labor or slavery. Of these, one in four are under the age of 18. Every year, 300,000 children are taken from all around the world and sold by human traffickers as slaves according to International Labor Organization (ILO).

Nigeria is not an exception. The alarming number of children being trafficked on a daily basis in Nigeria is worthy of immediate action. The 2015 re-enacted Trafficking in Persons Law Enforcement and Administration Act, and Nigeria 2003 Child Rights Act criminalize child trafficking, yet, this has not seemed to reduce the rate of child trafficking in Nigeria. Children are still being abducted despite measures that are put in place by necessary agencies.

Collective responsibility should be adopted to curb this silent menace globally. Individuals must support the government and necessary agencies to report suspects and suspected locations. At Centre for family Health Initiative, we totally condemn every form of trafficking and gender based violence. Every child deserves the right to grow and strive in a secured environment.

#SayNoToChildTrafficking #NoToChildAbduction #StopChildLabour #CFHISpeakWednesday

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, Teenage Pregnancy, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

TEENAGE PREGNANCY – THE SILENT MENACE

Pregnancy is a biological process indicating the possibility of motherhood. The most common form of conception is through sex whether consensual or not once a female begins to experience ovulation. This means that at any age while still ovulating, a female can be pregnant. Pregnancy at an early age is called teenage or adolescent pregnancy. The threshold for teenage pregnancy is 19 years and below counting from the verified date when the pregnancy ends. A female who conceives at 19 then delivers on her 20^th birthday or after that day is not considered as teenage pregnancy.

According to World Health Organisation, an estimate of 21 million girls aged 15-19 years in developing regions become pregnant and approximately 12 million of them deliver. In developing countries, there are at least 777,000 births from girls younger than 15 years old. Demographic and Health Survey 2013 estimated that 23 percent of Nigerian girls between ages 15-19 have started the process of child bearing. 17 percent out of the 23 have had their first child and 5 percent are pregnant with the first child.

Adolescents get pregnant or are at the risk of conceiving due to certain factors. Some females experience early puberty. As the physical changes begin to occur, the desire to explore these changes become more intense as a result of peer pressure or information, videos and images relating to sex from the media. The girls are overwhelmed by this desire and succumb to engaging in sexual activities without knowledge or access to contraceptives. The repercussion may be pregnancy.

In the African society, some cultures encourage young females to get pregnant out of wedlock and birth the children for the fathers/family. This traditional practice is allowed in situations where the girls’ family wants a male child and sees her as an only option to providing one, the girl is the only child, or the girls’ father died leaving few children. A healthy man from an illustrious family is chosen by the girls’ family to impregnate her. The birth of the child is celebrated as a gift from the God of fertility to expand the family’s lineage.

Some adolescent mothers are victims of non-consensual traumatizing sexual encounters that lead to pregnancy. These girls may be in abusive relationships, molested through coercion, deception, assault, raped, and threats is an unpleasant mode of conception. The law does not consider a minor (below 18) eligible to consent to any form of sexual behavior because it is believed that the minor is deficient in making informed decisions concerning sex. Hence, any act of sex before the age of 18 is considered child molestation.

Poverty is an underlying risk factor of teenage pregnancy. It makes the girls more vulnerable to predators and sexual abusers. Poverty denies the adolescents’ access to basic personal needs such as food, shelter and clothing, and this forces these females to lose their sense of dignity and they are easily enticed by those who provide or promise to provide these basic needs.

Pregnancy at an early age comes with catastrophic consequences for both the mother and the baby. For the mothers, that might be the end to education due to stigma, lack of support from friends and family and to meet their economic needs while pregnant. The girls may never go back to school. A lot of pregnant teenagers and mothers live in poverty because they have no educational qualifications to get jobs and earn a dignified income. For the children who are products of teenage pregnancies, the lack of social support and affection may convert them to juvenile delinquents.

Comprehensive sex education should be taught in schools and even introduced in the curriculum in schools where it is not taught. Male involvement is also crucial in the protective and preventive process of teenage pregnancy. The government should develop public policies that are culturally relevant and will be accepted and practiced by various cultures relating to teenage pregnancy. Education is one of the effective keys to combating teenage pregnancy because it empowers the teenagers and exposes them to more information. Free education should be implemented and support groups should be organized for proper counselling when needed. Preventing teenage pregnancies and supporting pregnant teenagers is the desired target.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender based violence. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.

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Speak Wednesday

COVID-19, Gender, Health, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN

According to UNICEF, violence against women denies women their most basic rights and freedoms, including freedom of opinion, equality and justice before the law, to marry (or not) according to their own free will, to mobility, participation, to have access information and education, to work, to be employed, or to vote. Violence against children on the other hand includes all forms of violence perpetrated against people below the age of 18, either by parents, caregivers, peers, romantic partners, or strangers.

Victims and survivors are mostly the immediate persons affected by violence, but the effects of these violence go far beyond the survivors to having negative impact on their relationships, communities and the societies they live in. In homes where domestic violence is carried out in the presence of the children, it may lead to short or long term harm on children. These children most times end up being abusers, while on the short term, there are physical injuries and serious health conditions.

Exposure to violence at an early age can impair brain development and damage to immune systems, with lifelong consequences. As such, violence against children can negatively affect cognitive development and results in educational and vocational under-achievement. Children exposed to violence and other adversities are more likely to drop out of school, have difficulty finding and keeping a job, involve in harmful use of alcohol and drugs and have disability or mental health problems.

Women who have experienced domestic violence or abuse are at a significantly high risk of experiencing a range of mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, having suicidal thoughts, unstable relationships, and emotional imbalance. Many women and children have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.

Teenage girls when faced with sexual violence may lead to unintended pregnancies, induced abortions, gynecological problems, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. According to Pauline Tallen, Nigeria Minister for Women Affairs in a recent address on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), mentioned that over 3000 rape cases have been reported between March and June, 2020. She also acknowledged that rape has always happened in Nigeria, “but with the lockdown of people in homes because of COVID-19, women and children are locked down with their abusers.” Majority of these incidences are carried out by parents, caregivers and those trusted by the victims. Rape is never the fault of the victim, but rather the fault of the rapist.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender based violence. CFHI believes that violence against women and children can be prevented if we all contribute our quota. A life without violence is essential to the health and peace of everyone. We will continue to raise our voices against any form of violence against women and children, provide legal, psycho-social and economic supports to victims and survivors of gender based violence.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Gender, Health, Hygiene, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

MONDAY HEALTH BURST – COMMON ILLNESSES AND COMPLICATIONS IN ADULTS, CHILDREN AND INFANTS

The common illnesses in adults, children, and infants are treated differently depending on how severe they are and how much they affect the immune system. While some are prevented by getting vaccinations, others are treated with antibiotics (specifically diseases caused by bacteria), antiviral medications for those caused by viruses, and antifungals for those caused by fungi. Since these illnesses and complications are treated differently, it is important to always consult a doctor to get the best treatment option.

For today’s Monday Health Burst, we will be looking at the common illnesses among three different age groups (Adults, Children and Infants). For adults, we have Ischemic Heart Disease; Stroke; Lower Respiratory Tract Infection; Trachea, Bronchus and Lungs Cancers; and Diabetes Mellitus. For children and infants, Acute Pharyngotonsilitis (Sore throat); Ear Pain; and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIS).

ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE, OR CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD), also called ischemic heart disease. CAD occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. Untreated CAD can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

STROKE

A stroke occurs when an artery in the brain is blocked or leaks. This causes the oxygen-deprived brain cells to begin dying within minutes. If left untreated, a stroke can cause long-term disabilities like Hemiplegia, Hemiparesis, Facial palsy, etc.

LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION

A lower respiratory infection is an infection in the airways and lungs. It can be due to viruses or bacteria. Coughing is the main symptom of a lower respiratory infection. One may also feel breathlessness, wheezing, and a tight feeling in the chest. Untreated lower respiratory infections can lead to respiratory failure or death.

TRACHEA, BRONCHUS, AND LUNG CANCERS

Respiratory cancers include cancers of the trachea, larynx, bronchus, and lungs. The main causes are smoking, secondhand smoke, and environmental toxins. Household pollution such as fuels and mold are also causes of Respiratory cancer.

DIABETES MELLITUS

Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect insulin production and use. In type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas can not produce insulin. The cause is not yet known. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or insulin can not be used effectively. Type 2 Diabetes can be caused by a number of factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and being overweight. Poorly treated or untreated Diabetes can lead to retinopathy, renal failure, stroke, organ damage or death.

ACUTE PHARYNGOTONSILITIS (SORE THROAT)

Sore throats are common in children and can be really painful. It can be caused by virus or bacteria. A sore throat caused by virus does not need antibiotics. In those cases, no specific medicine is required, and the child should get better after it had ran its course.

EAR PAIN

Ear pain is common in children and can have many causes including ear infection (otitis media), swimmer’s ear (infection of the skin in the ear canal), pressure from a cold or sinus infection, teeth pain radiating up the jaw to the ear, and others.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTIS)

UTIs occur when bacteria build up in the urinary tract. UTI can be found in children from infancy through the teen years and into adulthood. Symptoms of a UTI include pain or burning during urination, the need to urinate frequently or urgently, bed wetting. Complications of UTI when left untreated include pyelonephritis which can progress to kidney failure.

Most of these common illnesses are contagious and can spread from person to person, it is hence important to take proper precautions when handling body fluids. Remember the slogan “if it is wet and not yours, do not touch it without a barrier (i.e gloves). Remember to always seek the help of a doctor if any of these symptoms occur, because early diagnosis and treatment is always the best way to survive diseases and complications.

CFHI Monday Health Burst is an initiative of the organization to tackle issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more health related articles on all our social media platforms.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, Politics, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

SPEAK WEDNESDAY – WOMEN TRAFFICKING AND SEX SLAVERY

Human is a universal word used to describe a person irrespective of age, gender, physical attributes, religion, social affiliations, cultural and traditional beliefs, economic capabilities, family background and educational qualifications. This means the universe equates us as one. We are all the same kind but designed to have various peculiarities. The vulnerable and less privileged are not inferior versions of humans so we must not take advantage of them. They are not commodities to be traded for sex slavery, forced labour, rituals or even forced into marriage.

Human trafficking/trading is inhumane and illegal and it is mostly used as a medium for economic exploitation of its victims and it can be done within or outside a particular environment. It involves coercion, intimidation, manipulation, brutality, control, abduction, fraud, isolation from family, threats, and violence in some cases. All these characteristics violate the basic rights of humans as citizens of the earth. Humans are not for sale!

Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking but there are risk factors that increase ones vulnerability of falling prey to human traffickers. Most potential victims of trafficking desire to migrate to places where they will have better lives with better living conditions. Traffickers take advantage of this desire by promising to sponsor the trips, give the vulnerable ones jobs or enroll them in schools. Some parents give out or sell their children to wealthy friends, relatives and even strangers not minding if they are human traffickers or not. This practice has to stop because every child deserves the right to be cared for and protected by their parents or guardian.

Unfortunate circumstances such as kidnap make the victims more vulnerable to human traffickers. Most African countries have porous borders. People are trafficked across borders but many of them have not being identified and saved. Also, corrupt government officials and officers hide and protect the perpetuators of human trafficking thereby encouraging it in the society. Other risk factors are unemployment, riot, poverty, natural disasters and war that can lead to displacement, and political instability.

Boys and men are victims of trafficking. However, majority of individuals who are victims of human trafficking are women and girls. In Africa, our culture devalues women and girls and this makes them more vulnerable to trafficking. Due to stigmatization, some of these girls in trying to escape toxic environments and families, end up meeting the wrong people who will lure them into joining the a team that will later be forced into prostitution and others converted into baby production machines. They are raped brutally and impregnated against their will. Worst of all, they are deprived the privilege of motherhood after birthing their children. The newborns are sold, some killed to be used for rituals. The female suffer from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse.

Casualties of human trafficking suffer devastating consequences such as psychological trauma, body pains, injury, bruises from physical assault, post-traumatic stress, depression that can lead to suicide, sexual transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancies. Most individuals who were victims of human trafficking and were rescued find it difficult to enjoy a normal life. It may be difficult for them to earn an independent living through an honest means after they are rescued. These victims lose their self-esteem and isolate themselves from people. Some of the trafficked persons die from physical assault or even poorly managed infections, others during child birth. Some victims of trafficking are killed and their body parts extracted to be used for ritual purposes.

Creating awareness in social groups is one of the effective ways to fight human trafficking. Talk about the dangers and effects of human trafficking. Teach them the indicators of human trafficking and tactics used by human traffickers. Social media is also a good medium to advocate, educate and sensitize people to issues of women and girls trafficking in the society. Parents should be discouraged from giving out their children to affluent families for work. The government can work with different Community Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations to provide various forms of interventions to victims and survivors of women trafficking and sex slavery. Centre for Family Health Initiative will continue to mentor and sensitize young and vulnerable girls and create opportunities for them to acquire skills that will empower them financially in order to combat the will to migrate illegally.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Gender, Health, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

SEXUAL HEALTH

Sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.

Sexual health cannot be defined, understood or made operational without a broad consideration of sexuality, which is a central aspect of being human. It encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.

In promoting sexual health, there are some fundamental human rights attached. They include the rights to equality and non-discrimination, the right to be free from torture, cruelty, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to privacy, the rights to the highest attainable standard of sexual health and social security, the right to marry with free and full consent of the intending spouses, and to equality in and at the dissolution of marriages, the right to decide the number of children to have and when to have them, the rights to information as well as education, the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to an effective remedy for violations of fundamental rights.

Sexual rights protect the rights of everyone to fulfill and express their sexuality with due regard for the rights of others and within a framework of protection against discrimination. Sexual health is a very sensitive and wide aspect of health as it affects the psychological aspect as well as the genital organs.

Gender equality and sexual orientation are very key aspects of sexual health, as there is need for freedom from all forms of discrimination based on gender, need for respect and acceptance of gender differences, need for freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and need for freedom to express sexual orientation in safe and responsible manners within a values framework that is respectful of the rights of others. There is also need to foster the practice of consensual, non-exploitative, honest, mutually pleasurable relationships.

If everyone is made to understand and respect the sexual rights of others, issues of rape, pedophilia, female genital mutilation, child marriage, breast ironing, and all manner of evil perpetrated against girls and even children will be mitigated. There will be more people to make responsible decisions regarding sexuality that will help build a better society. Note also that sexual health is all encompassing and it is incomplete not to mention regular check-ups like health screening, breast and testicular self-scans in order to identify sexual problems in time.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, Women / cfhinitiative

CYBER VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Cyber violence is defined as an organised internet behaviours that criminally or non-criminally cause, facilitate, or threaten a person’s physical, sexual, psychological, emotional health. According to a recent research by the World Health Organization, one in ten women globally has already experienced a form of cyber violence since the age of 15.

There is no clear defined typology of offences considered to be cyber violence, cyber violence could be harassment, impersonation, trickery, exclusion, sexting, cyber stalking, and cyber threats that are mostly perpetrated against women and children.

Victims often times experience violence and harassment from families, partners, peers, and from total strangers, which bring about mental stress, depression, distrust, emotional imbalance, low self-esteem, drug use, anxiety, sociopathic tendencies, and suicide in some cases.

In other to combat this problem, it is crucial that we pay attention to people living with us and around us. This is because most people who are victims of cyber violence always believe they are all alone and the world is against them. These thoughts gradually take over the mind of the abused, hence resulting in either short or long term negative effects. Always keep the line of communication open so that people and children especially can open up easily.

For internet users, “always do to others what you want done to you”. It is important to act appropriately online and encourage ethical behaviours while using technology for the good of everyone.

Centre for Family Health Initiative is committed to end any form of violence through advocacy, sensitization and providing legal and psychosocial support to victims and survivors. Together we can encourage everyone to speak up and not stigmatize.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

EMOTIONAL VIOLENCE

Have you ever been in a situation where you have suffered emotional neglect and isolation, experienced co-dependency, accusation, blaming, shame, verbal abuse, control, humiliation, bullying, intimidation, manipulation, cyber bullying and abusive criticism? All these devices are palpable signs of emotional violence geared towards hurting and destroying one’s self esteem. The abuser can be anyone: a spouse, business partner, boss, friends, family members, etc.

To exercise power and control over its victim, an emotional abuser propels one to believe that they are indispensable, leaving the victim in perpetual fear. It is important to know that everyone, regardless of race, religion, beliefs, are entitled to respect, independence, self-worth and safety in any relationship.

The emotionally abused sustain injuries that are not necessarily physical but invisible. Only the abused knows he/she is injured and weighs the burden of this injury. What happens next? The abused begins to wallow in self-doubt and concludes that he/she is worthless. The effects of emotional abuse can be short term damages or long lasting scars for those who survive it. The victims may suffer from insomnia, eating disorders, heart palpitations, depression, stomach ulcers, anxiety and even death.

One of the toughest types of violence to detect is emotional abuse because it may not necessarily be physical. Just like other kinds of violence emotional violence can sabotage the mental and psychological health. The abused may begin to feel that all the hurtful comments and abusive criticism used by the abuser are true and blame themselves for the abuse. This may push the abused into the silent killer called depression. We need to live with the consciousness that what we say to people, or how we use words when relating with people can affect them positively or negatively.

To tackle emotional abuse, you must first overcome self-blame. It is not your fault that you are abused. Yes! You will survive irrespective of whether that person is in your life or not. Make yourself a priority! It is important to establish boundaries in your relationship to preserve self-worth and respect. In cases where there is constant breach of boundaries, draw an exit plan, speak to close and trusted persons about it as this may boost the chances of healing internally.

Centre for Family Health Initiative through Child Protection Committee interventions provides psycho-social, economic and legal support to emotionally and physically abused persons who cannot afford justice. Also, Speak Wednesday is a service of CFHI to encourage victims of all forms of abuse to speak up, with the aims of providing justice for everyone, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

SPEAK WEDNESDAY- FAMILY VIOLENCE

Family violence can be referred to as domestic violence. This could be physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, social, financial, spiritual and emotional. It has been proven overtime that anyone can be affected by family violence, regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, cultural background, ability, religion, wealth, status or location.

Family violence can have serious and sometimes disastrous consequences for victims and for those around the violence. It may rage from physical abuse like pushes or shoves, hits, slaps, kicks, stabs, cuts, which may sometimes lead to death; sexual abuse like forceful sex or engaging in sexual activity without consent. This occurs even in marriages; financial abuse like being a sole controller of family funds no matter who earns it. It could also be depriving a partner of working so that she may depend solely on you for financial needs; emotional abuse is another form of family abuse and it entails name calling, threats, bulling, intimidation, humiliations, and more.

It is pertinent to note that women are not only victims of domestic violence. The men are not left out as well. The social and cultural stigma associated with male violence sometimes hinders them from speaking. Our society forbids a man to be abused in whatever form by his wife and children. Therefore they become too ashamed to speak to avoid the dishonor of being called weak. However, men should realize that speaking about it is not shameful but a thing of dignity to muster the courage to ask for help. Anyone can be abused!

There are unique cases where the abused is ignorant of the fact that he or she is being abused by the abuser. A good example is emotional, spiritual and economic abuse. In some relationships, one partner or spouse manipulates the other’s emotions to do certain things and making the victims develop low self-esteem over time. Some other spouses or partners exploit the economic resources of their spouses. They cover this exploitation with lies making their partners unaware of the fact that they are being abused.

#SayNoToRape #JusticeForEveryone #EndFamilyViolenceNow

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, Women / cfhinitiative

DATING ABUSE/RAPE

Dating abuse or dating violence is the perpetration of an act of violence by at least one member of an unmarried couple on the other member in the context of dating or courtship. According to a recent report by different researchers, 1 in 3 young people experience this form of abuse which is not only physical, but can be emotional or psychological like in the case of name calling, bullying, shaming, intentionally embarrassing and constant monitoring; sexual abuse like engaging in sexual act without the consent of the partner, and stalking.

Despite the increasing level of dating violence in Nigeria, some people still regard them as normal or a sign of love, hence find it difficult to walk away. These victims condone or rarely report the violence inflicted on them for different reasons like lack of steady income, low self-esteem, lack of exposure to information, false hopes, stigmatization, lack of shelter, and many more. In few cases where these victims summon the courage to report, they will be asked to find a way to resolve their differences, rather than punish the perpetrators.

Some of these relationships end in violent marriages and to this end, many have died and many more are held in severe bondage they cannot easily escape from for the fear of shame, stigmatization, fear of losing the custody of children and ridicule. It is important to know that abuse is never a one off occurrence, the perpetrators often come back begging for forgiveness, only to repeat it again and again.

In recent days, there have been different cases of rape, killings, bulling of women across different states in Nigeria. From the case of Tina to Uwa and then Jennifer. From physical and verbal abuse, to rape and even murder and it is evident that the authorities are not doing enough to stem the tide of abuse which manifests itself in many forms in Nigeria today.

For there to be a healthy society for everyone, we must step up in the fight against any form of abuse and continue to sensitize women and men in some cases to information about the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 and their human rights. This way, we will have more people speaking up and justice served.

Centre for Family Health Initiative has been able to sensitize hundreds of girls and provided legal and psycho-social support to many victims through our community activities, but the fight is not just for the government and NGOs. Community leaders, religious leaders, and everyone must spearhead the fight against all forms of abuse.

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