Experts demand reinforcement of girl-child’s rights

THE Federal Government has been urged to make laws that would reinforce the girl child’s rights in the country.

This call was made recently by the Co-founder of the Women Law and Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN), Dr. Awosika Keziah, during the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, 2015.

The observation of the day started on October 11, 2012 and is now being celebrated yearly across the world.

It is a day reserved to empower adolescent girls and also affords nations the opportunity to talk about girls and gender equality in the nation.

Awosika noted that “not only the Child Rights Act or Domestic Violence Against the Child needs to be reinforced, but there’s also the need for a law to fortify the Girl Child’s Right.

The programme titled: “None Left Behind: Empowering the Grassroots Girl Child,” which took place at the United Senior High School, Ikorodu, Lagos, had girls in senior secondary schools from 16 to 18 years as its target.

It was geared towards educating female children and enlightening them to have a positive self-esteem, to have confidence in themselves, good values and to be financially accountable as women.

The programme was powered by five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) namely Arise Nigerian Women Foundation, Limitless Generation Project Ireland, Erada UK, Women Law and Development Centre and Ayisat Ajoke Afolabi Foundation.

The organizations were represented by different calibers of people such as the co-founder WLDCN, Dr. Keziah Awosika, founder of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (WEAN) Angela C. Daniels, a popular TV presenter, Olajumoke Olawode James, versatile actress and TV host, Bimbo Akintola and a legal practitioner, Lekan Ijelu.

According to Lekan Ijelu, girls should not suffer any abuse by any individual and remain mute. They should try to voice out their feelings and experiences to their parents, guardians or relatives.

Ijelu also used the medium to demand and call on the government for a return of the Chibok girls.

Television hostess, Olajumoke James, spoke on the relevance of self-esteem in a girl-child’s life. She noted that self-esteem is not pride but knowing your worth as an individual and, above all, education is the most paramount.