U.S. advocates greater investment in girl-child education

United States Consul General F. John Bray has called for increased investment in the education of the girl-child and greater political participation by women in Nigeria.

Delivering the keynote address on the second day of the 17th Annual Conference of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), in Lagos, Bray encouraged women leaders to continue working for the promotion of gender equality in the country.

He spoke on the topic “Unstoppable you: Reinvent and reinvigorate” at the event attended by leading women from both the private and public sectors.

“Nigeria cannot achieve its dream of a prosperous and inclusive society without reinventing its approach to how it is treating the overwhelming majority of the women and girls that live in this country. It may be up to you to change the tenor of the national discourse and prod Nigeria to place education and health, and the status of women and girls higher on the national agenda.”

Bray lamented that Nigeria is reportedly home to the largest number of out- of -school children in the world, many of them girls.

“If Nigeria properly invested in the education of women and girls, how many more Amina Mohammeds will represent this country on the world stage?  If more women and girls are given equal opportunities, how many more Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies will be able to tell stories that enthrall the world?”

While pointing out that removing the barriers to women full economic participation is key to an inclusive and prosperous Nigeria, Bray challenged the conference participants to press for greater involvement of women in politics.

He noted that the current political order in the country does not offer enough opportunities for women. He added that low female participation in politics must change if issues of concern to women are to rise in prominence and draw the interest and resources that they deserve.