NAN-HG-12
UNICEF
By Kate Obande
Abuja, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday said it would establish a girls group in schools to address the abuse and challenges facing the Nigerian Girl-Child.
Mrs Azuka Menkiti, an Education Specialist with UNICEF, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Menkiti said that that the planned group would be called “Girls for Girls Group (G4G)’’.
She said that the group would serve as a forum for girls to interact with the professional women, who had excelled in life, to help them build self-confidence.
“We want girls in our society to accept that they are great people.
“We want to build their confidence so that they can aspire higher and not limit their thinking and dreams to household chores.
“We want them to speak out when violated, and train them on how to prevent domestic violence or any other form of abuse.
“The group will improve their attitude toward enrollment, retention and completion of their education,’’ she said.
Menkiti said that UNICEF was working with the Federal Government to see how the issue of girl’s education would be placed in the front burner of the nation’s policy.
The specialist said that the organisation was determined to address the barrier that kept the girl-child out of schools.
She also mentioned the Girls Education Project (GEP) as part of the programmes established by UNICEF to promote the girl- child education.
According to her, the programme is operational in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Niger and Kebbi. (NAN)
KTE/DUA/GOK
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Olagoke Olatoye
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