NAN-HG-1
Girl-Child
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Oct.11, 2016 (NAN) The Deputy Governor of Rivers, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, has called for the enactment of more laws that would guarantee protection of girl-child in Nigeria.
Banigo said in a statement signed by her Media Assistant, Mr Paul Damgbor, in commemoration of the 2016 International Day of the Girl-Child.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of the Girl-Child is celebrated annually on Oct.11 around the world.
Theme of 2016 International Day of the Girl-Child is: “Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement”.
“This is a call for action for increased investment in collecting and analysing girl-focused, girl-relevant and sex-disaggregated data.’’
Banigo described the girl-child as “strategic in societal development’’ and “a vulnerable group that needs adequate protection against all forms of harmful traditional practices’’.
She also called on the political class to midwife a process that would trigger the eradication of extant obnoxious laws that undermine the wellbeing of the girl-child.
“This day crystallises the reality before us; it should also awaken us to our collective responsibility to check the enactment of laws that disfavour the girl-child.
“We should also work toward facilitating the process of ensuring speedy justice in cases concerning girl-child rights abuse,’’ the deputy governor said.
Banigo said that cases like rape, early child marriage, female genital mutilation and other forms of abuse against the girl-child should be discouraged.
She urged parents to invest more in the education of their female children, saying, “when you educate a girl-child, she grows to become a mother to all’’.
UN Women, in its online publication said, “One year into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, improving data on girls and addressing the issues that are holding them back is critical for fulfilling the SDGs.
“One such issue that is standing in the way of girls’ progress is child marriage.
“The data is daunting- one in three girls in developing countries (except China) gets married before they turn 18.
“Girls who are child brides miss out on education, are more vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, and bear children before they are physically or emotionally prepared.’’ (NAN)
AZU/YMU/GOK
(Controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)
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