International Day of the Girl Child – 2024: FG, National Assembly drums support for protection, welfare of girl child

Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Thursday commemorated the international day of the girl child in a special session presided over by a 16 year old, Isabela Anani as a shadow Speaker. Aside the teen presiding as Speaker because of the suspension of the House rule, young girls were given the floor to speak in turn to justify the United Nations recognition of the day.

This action is suggestive as alluded to by an Honourable Member, that the House of Representative is prepared to provide a platform for the girl child to seat in the green chamber in the future.

Honourable Members who spoke dwelt on some of the infractions on the right of the girl child in Nigeria viz: violence against girl child, rape, genital mutilation, gender discrimination among others.

At another fora, was a congregation at the bouquet hall of the presidential lodge in Abuja on Thursday tagged ‘International Conference on Girl Child Education’. The aim of the gathering according to organisers was to ensure that every girl child has access to quality education.

Present at the event in a key note address delivered by the Chief of Staff to the Vice President Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, was a representative of the Vice President, Minister for Education Prof. Tahir Maman, DG Nigeria’s Governors Forum, commissioners of Education from the States, girl child ambassadors among other dignitaries.

Earlier Wednesday, the Senate urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the protection and welfare of the girl-child to address the educational, health, and safety needs of girls across the country.

It also asked the government to domesticate laws that would promote the eradication of female genital mutilation and ensure protection of the girl-child.

The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT).

Kingibe, while presenting her motion said that the girl-child has numerous social, cultural and economic challenges that severely limit her opportunities for growth, development, and contribution to society.

The senator said the girl-child constituted over 60 per cent of the out-of-school children in the country.

“Nigerian girl-child is subjected to numerous social, cultural, and economic challenges that severely limit her opportunities for growth, development, and contribution to society, including the denial of education, gender-based violence, early marriage, and poor healthcare access.

“Nigeria has over 10 million out-of-school children, with the girl-child disproportionately affected. According to a 2020 UNICEF report, girls constitute over 60 per cent of the out-of-school population, a problem that is exacerbated by cultural barriers, insecurity, and economic disadvantages, especially in rural conflict-affected areas,” she said.

Kingibe also decried child marriage which she said is common in Zamfara, Bauchi and Sokoto states.

“Child marriage remains prevalent across Nigeria, with the northern zones showing alarming statistics. According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), over 44 per cent of girls are married before the age of 18 with high percentages in states like Zamfara, Bauchi, and Sokoto.

“Child marriage deprived girls of their right to education, health, and a safe childhood, trapping them in cycles of poverty and oppression. It is observed that each of the six geopolitical zones has distinct but equally pressing challenges facing the girl-child,” she said.

The senator prayed the Senate to encourage the federal government to domesticate and enforce the Child Rights Act and the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, with focus on eradicating harmful traditional practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, while ensuring girls’ protection and empowerment.

She also requested that the Senate mandate its Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor the implementation of girl-child protection laws and policies, ensuring that gaps are addressed, and accountability is maintained.

Idiat Adebule, (APC, Lagos West) who seconded the motion, said it is the duty of female lawmakers to protect young girls from early marriage and other challenges.

She urged the lawmakers to speak with state governors to curb early marriage in their respective states.

Banigo Ipalibo (PDP, Rivers West) requested interventions of government at all levels to the issues affecting the girl-child.

Abdulaziz Yar’adua (PDP, Katsina) said some of the challenges facing the girl-child are regarded as cultural barriers.

Mohammed Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa South) urged the Nigerian government to encourage the girl-child by ensuring their safety and providing basic amenities.

In 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. The Beijing Declaration is the first to specifically call out girls’ rights.

On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

International Day of the Girl Child was formally established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 to recognize the unique challenges girls face worldwide and to promote their rights. It emerged out of the need to address gender disparities and discrimination that affect girls’ lives.

The day is observed annually on October 11th of every year globally and focuses attention on the need to address the challenges the world’s more than 1.1 billion girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders.

An investment in realising the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.

Since its inception, International Day of the Girl Child has gained momentum, with various organizations and advocates working together to empower girls, eliminate gender-based violence, and ensure equal opportunities for all children.

International Day of the Girl Child 2024 serves as a reminder of the need to address gender inequalities, discrimination, and violence against girls and to create a brighter future for them. International Day of the Girl Child is aimed at promoting adolescent girls’ rights globally.

The day is dedicated to recognize and promote the rights and well-being of girls worldwide. It emphasizes the importance of empowering girls through education, access to healthcare, and protection from violence and discrimination. This day also encourages girls to dream big, pursue their goals, and contribute to building a more equitable and just world.

This years theme – ‘Girls’ vision for the future’ is apt at a time where multiple infractions are pervasive, curtailing girls’ and women’s rights thereby rolling back progress on gender equality. These range from maternal health care and parenting support for adolescent mothers, to digital and life skills training; from comprehensive sexuality education to survivor support services and violence prevention programmes; there is an urgent need for increased attention and resourcing for the key areas that enable girls to realize their rights and achieve their full potential. These harsh condition particularly impact on girls.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, embody a roadmap for progress that is sustainable and leaves no one behind.

Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals. Only by ensuring the rights of women and girls across all the goals will we get to justice and inclusion, economies that work for all, and sustaining our shared environment now and for future generations.