The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has called for more investment in the education of girls to enable them fulfill their potentials.
NAWOJ made the call in a statement by its National Secretary, Comrade Helen Udofa, to mark the 2022 International Day of the Girl, IDG, with the theme: “Our time is now – Our rights, Our future.”
While lamenting that in Nigeria, girls continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence, the association called on stakeholders and government to give adequate attention to girls’ education and ensure a secured, conducive environment for their learning.
“With over six million out of School girls in Nigeria, according to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists is calling on all Stakeholders to come together and forge a way forward in giving voice to girls’ and find solutions to issues affecting the girl child in Nigeria.
“On this occasion of the International Day of the Girl, we push for our girls to be given the opportunity to lead by putting them in the forefront of change efforts; hearing their voices; responding to their questions; and welcoming them in decision-making spaces. These are ways of investing in a future that believes in girls.
“It is time for everyone to stand and be counted with and for girls – and to invest in a future that believes in their agency, leadership and potential,” the statement said.
It stressed the need to support more opportunities and increase awareness for gender inequality faced by girls around the world.
According to the association, the 2022 celebration of the International Day of the Girl is unique in the sense that it marks the 10th anniversary.
It added that “There is therefore no doubt that in the last 10 years, the attention on issues that matter to girls have increased among governments, policymakers and the public generally, in addition to more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard at the global stage.
NAWOJ however, noted that investments in girls’ rights remain limited as they continue to confront challenges of fulfilling their potentials.
“These are further worsened by concurrent crises of climate change, COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian issues and insecurity.
“While girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges in their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence have become desirous.
On the theme of the celebration, the association said it “underscores the fact that the world’s 600 million adolescent girls have shown time and time again that given the skills and the opportunities, they can become the change agents needed to drive progress in their communities, building stronger walls for all, including women, boys and men.”