Stakeholders have admonished the girl-child to always speak out and depart from the culture of silence imposed on them.
This was the position of the stakeholders at this sensitization seminar organized by a non-governmental organization (NGO) Women and Children Development and Health Research Institute, WCDHRI.
The event was organized in partnership with Maternal Child Specialists’ Clinics, Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), and supported by Ekiti State Ministries of Education, Health and Women Affairs.
The workshop titled “Investing In Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership and Well-Being”, attracted members of the gender-based Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), relevant ministries and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of WCDHRI, Dr Comfort Ade-Ojo at the event held in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Girl-Child lamented that that most married women have been conditioned from their tender age to imbibe the culture of silence,
She therefore used the occasion to stress the need for the younger ones to speak up and make decisions.
“We are in the digital age now, we see that most things that the boys are exposed to girls are not allowed to do. Some years back to see a lady playing football looked like a taboo, but now girls are involved in stuff like this, even though there are still some little restrictions, they have the right to choose what they want to do.
“Look at Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, if her parents had not allowed her to explore her world, she wouldn’t have been where she is today. The girl-child should be allowed to make decisions or be part of the decision-making of issues that affect their lives, they should be allowed to speak out.
“The idea of universal education should be propagated and Ekiti State has been effective in that aspect through the establishment of free education for all, when a lady is educated, she is likely to make better decisions in every way.
“There’s no mother that would be happy seeing her child eating leftover food. We might not be able to do much with the adults but we can still re-orientate them, the upcoming ones, let’s give them the appropriate information both the boys and the girls, when they have this information, they will know how to tackle these things.” Adeojo said.
“The skill is just the starting point. All they just have to do is come out of their shell and take responsibility for their lives and as for the parents, they should see Okonjo Iweala as a model to impact their children.
“We have some initiatives like WCDHRI in collaboration with other NGOs to support and empower the girl-child. The First Lady has a gender office centered on the girl-child.”
The chairman of WCDHRI, Dr Pius Ade-Ojo bemoaned the anti-social actions of the youths, such as cybercrime, possession and intake of illicit drugs, and prostitution, among others.
He therefore called on the government and relevant stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that girl-child have a better future.
Other speakers at the event were the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Peju Babafemi, represented by Tolude Oguniyi, who stated that Ekiti State has been recognized as one of the best states with the highest number of girls in school.
He added that the State has been tackling gender-based violence through the introduction of Gender-based Violence Laws and clubs in schools.
“Ekiti State is one of the best states with the highest number of girls in school because the State Governor in conjunction with NGOs and Stakeholders has come together to create awareness by making education readily available for the girl child.
“Also with introduction of the Gender-Based-Violence (GBV) clubs in schools, and the Ekiti State Gender-Based-Violence Law, 2011 have helped to combat gender violence.”
In her remarks, the Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ekiti State, Fatima Bello tasked all stakeholders to champion the course of the girl-child and be involved in the fight for their rights.
She also assured that the association will not relent in ensuring that the rights of girl-child are protected at all costs.
