As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the International Day of The Girl child today, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, (NAWOJ) has used the opportunity to call for more attention to the rights, safety and education of the girl child in the country, especially at a time when it has been announced that there are currently 129 million girls of school age who are out of school, worldwide. 

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) made this disclosure through its National President, Ladi Bala and National Secretary, Helen Udofa, to celebrate the 2021 International Day of the Girl-Child. 

NAWOJ, in a statement noted that in Nigeria and other developing countries, girls face distinct disadvantages, for being both young and female.

It noted that the International Day of the Girl-Child is dedicated to the growth of girls around the world and to promote awareness about gender equality, as well as focus on issues faced by girls worldwide because of their gender.

“It is an occasion to raise awareness on the obstacles that girls all over the world face and to celebrate and reinforce their achievements. Over the years, major issues faced by girls include lack of or low level of education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care and protection from discrimination.

“They suffer sexual and gender-based violence, gender biases, discrimination, subjection to harmful circumstances and forced child marriage, that impede their health, safety, stability, education and other opportunities. These reflect the inequality they face in the society.

“In Nigeria, factors like ethnicity, religion and disability heighten the existing disadvantages that girls face. From being denied access to education to being forced into child marriage, our girls face a myriad of obstacles that prevent them from realising their full potential.

“For millions of girls in conflict and crisis areas, these challenges are especially formidable and when women and girls lack power in their homes and communities, they are inevitably affected more than others in situations as armed conflict, drought, flood or COVID-19.”

NAWOJ said the 2021 theme of the

International Day of the Girl Child: “Digital Generation, Our Generation,” places emphasis on promoting equal opportunity for girls in accessing technologies and bridging the digital divide as it can also widen gender gap.

Quoting the UN, NAWOJ stated that girls are more likely to be cut off, pointing to a gender divide within the digital divide and added that the world global body also stated that girls are less likely than boys to "Own and use devices.”

NAWOJ added that the situation affects the number of girls in technology-related skills and jobs as well. It said that the percentage of females among Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines is less than 15 per-cent in over two-thirds of countries.  

 NAWOJ calls on governments at all levels to commit to ensuring opportunities and equality for girls and urges everyone to tackle those persistent barriers against equal opportunities for our girls as well as those that are inimical to the advancement of girls in Nigeria.

NAWOJ therefore calls on all stakeholders to ensure every girl child has access to the educational opportunities required to navigate a complex world in the twenties first century.

“We urge actions towards the elimination of all forms of discrimination against girls, and an end to those practices that hinder the chances of our girls at education, technology inclusion, healthcare, economic empowerment, rights to inheritance, as well as all forms of sexual and other forms of violence against girls, while survivors of violence should be provided with safe spaces, prompt and free medical attention, counselling and legal assistance.

“NAWOJ strongly believes that providing protection equal opportunities for the girl child, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieving peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.

“Moreover, it has been shown that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth. So, ensuring that girls can reach their full potential is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic one as well.

“Investing in the girl-child education not only equips girls with skills and knowledge to grow and prosper; it also helps their siblings, family, and the wider community to thrive as well, while they are more likely to support themselves, look after their health, avoid early marriage and pregnancy and contribute to societal growth.

“There is also a need to educate the girl child about their rights, help them make healthy choices, protect them from violence, and teach them to be leaders and able to build a brighter future. There is no gainsaying that, when our government and the private sector invest in the education of girls, our communities would be healthier and our economies stronger", NAWOJ stated. 

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