Government official urges girls to oppose early marriage and sexual harassment

The Commissioner for Children, Gender and Social Development in Enugu State, Ngozi Enih, has urged schoolgirls to stand up against early marriage and sexual harassment.

Mrs Enih was speaking at a summit in Enugu on Friday to mark this year’s summit International Day of the Girl Child.

About 500 girls drawn from 32 secondary schools in Enugu attended the summit organized by a non-governmental organization, Hope for African Children Foundation.

The International Day of the Girl Child is a global event celebrated annually on October 11. This year’s edition has the theme ‘Girls’ vision for the future’.

‘Girls face many challenges’

Speaking at the summit, Ms Enih said girls, especially in Africa, face “many challenges” that prevent them from achieving their dreams.

The commissioner challenged the girls to resist pressure to accept early marriage and sexual harassment.

“I encourage each of you to make your voices heard and demand to be heard. Challenge the norms and biases that try to limit you. You are not weak or less intelligent; you are not an object for male pleasure.

“Stand strong against societal vices such as premarital sex, early marriage, peer pressure, cultism and any behavior that tries to undermine your potential,” she told the girls.

The Commissioner urged governments and policymakers to develop policies to protect girls from barriers that limit them.

“To the adults, policymakers and leaders here: please listen to our girls. Create safe spaces, free from violence, harassment, exploitation and discrimination, where our girls can thrive and grow without fear,” she stated.

Free sanitary pads for girls

Also speaking at the event, Ifeanyi Alumona, the founder of the Hope for African Children Foundation, appealed to the Nigerian government at all levels to provide sanitary pads to school girls in the country “to ensure that no girl misses school because she cannot afford hygiene products. ”.

He stressed that period poverty was an obstacle to girls’ and children’s education in Nigeria.

“By ensuring girls have access to menstrual hygiene products, we ensure they stay in school and continue their education without fear of becoming infected.”

Mr Alumona said the event was organized to inspire, educate and equip the girls with knowledge and skills to pursue their dreams.

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“This annual gathering is, as always, a testament to the power of our young girls and their unwavering determination to shape a better future for themselves, their communities and the world at large,” said Mr. Alumona.

He said the foundation is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in education and skill acquisition for girls, including those with disabilities.

“We prepare girls to lead in every area of ​​their lives, before and after age 18,” he stated.

Schoolgirls speak

A 16-year-old student of Raymond College, Enugu, Angel Okwudili, said she was excited to be part of the programme.

“During this event I learned that as a girl I was not allowed to miss school because of menstruation,” she said.

Onyinyechi Ede, a student of Metropolitan Girls Secondary School, Enugu, said the event gave her the confidence to thrive despite her challenges.

“My most important message is that girls everywhere should feel free to speak out against abuse and exploitation,” says 17-year-old Ms. Ede.