By Adewale Banjo
The International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) and Brimminds Foundation have called on the government to do more in the public enlightenment towards educating a girl-child in Nigeria.
International Director, IAWPA, an arm of the United Nations (UN) appraising Sustainable Development Goals projects in Nigeria, Chidi Ehiriodo, and chief executive officer of Brimminds Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and chief convener, Doreen Onyemaechi, made the call during a one-day International Girl-Child Day conference in Lagos.
Ehiriodo, while speaking on the theme of the International Girl-Child Day celebration, ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our leadership, our well-being,’ said the event was approved by the United Nations and has been celebrated since 2012 worldwide.
According to him, IAWPA has prioritised the development of a girl-child because of the symbol of caring and determination in every woman towards contributing to economic stability of any nation.
He said as a UN affiliate, IAWPA has decided to support the girl-child massively so that they will no longer be relegated to the background in decision-making and education.
Onyemaechi, on her part, said there were still lots of stigma and segregation happening on females children in Nigeria and around the world, and there was need for government to do more in changing the narrative by allowing more girl-child to aspire to a greater future, becoming heads of state, being elected into legislative assembly and becoming successful business women in the society.
According to her, this can only be achieved when the government and key stakeholders invest more in girl-child’s development, especially in education and other developmental purposes.
Onyemaechi said: “You know the stigma and segregation on female children. So, we consider it necessary to invest in them so they will not feel less of themselves.
“Already, society is not doing justice to the female children. We want to build that confidence in them, we want to build that knowledge in them, we want to educate them so they can stand on their own tomorrow; with or without white collar jobs.”