Lokoja – As the World marks the International Day of the Girl Child, stakeholders have been advised to intensify efforts towards protecting the girl-child and female gender to ensure a safe society.
At an event organised by the TUC, Women Commission to commemorate the day on Tuesday in Lokoja, various speakers advocated more enlightenment on the need to tackle inequality, GBV, and other forms of discrimination against women.
In a presentation, Director of a Non-Governmental Organization, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Eunice Agbogun said celebrating the day would help highlight various barriers facing the female gender which had affected their development and encouraging inequality.
She stressed that sensitisation was key among parents, teachers and all other stakeholders to ensure the success of the girl-child.
The CPI Director also advocated adolescence governance and donations to the less privileged families in the society.
While listing poverty, bias, GBV among the problems facing the girl-child, she called on government to do more in making more women come into governance and that the famale gender must not settle for less in getting their equal rights.
State Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ranti Ojo enjoined institutions, individuals, CSOs and the government to join hands in condemning evils against women and protecting their wellbeing.
In their goodwill messages, Principal, Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja Mrs Mabel Ogunmola stressed the need for proper training of the girl-child in view of the roles women play in nation building.
Also, a representative from the State Accountant- General’s office, Mrs Aminat Abdullahi encouraged girls to not allow intrigues of bad elements in the society to limit their future as she urged them to prepare themselves for leadership responsibilities.
Ajiboye Favour and Dasuki Maryam both expressed excitement over the celebration of the International Day Of The Girl Child as they encouraged the girl-child to be proud and always speak out against gender-based vices.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Chairperson, TUC Women Commission, Margaret Bose Adeika implored women to rally round themselves and make their voice heard, particularly in the forthcoming elections.
She explained that the TUC Women Commission had in collaboration with other women groups engaged in seminars and workshops geared towards eliminating gender-based violence and harassment against women in the state.
Highlight of the event was distribution of some items, including sanitary pads to female students of the school.(vitalnewsngr.com)
