Wife of Abia Gov. Mrs. Priscilla Otti(2nd left) Com. For WA. Dr. Maureen Aghukwa(first left) Wife of Abia Deputy Gov. Adaeze Emetu and Com. For Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Felix during the event.
The Abia state ministry of women affairs in conjunction with the office of the wife of the Governor of the state has celebrated the international day of the girl child with the theme “girls vision for the future.
The wife of Abia Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti also issued a stern warning to perpetrators of gender based violence in the state.
She said, it is either you live or contend with the law of the state because Abia state under Governor Otti will not condone your nefarious activities.
Speaking with journalists immediately after the event at the JAAC secretariat building, Ogurube layout in Umuahia the state capital, Mrs. Otti, said that today offers us the opportunity to deeply reflect on the unique challenges our girls encounters.
These includes poverty, limited access to quality education and healthcare, child labor, forced marriages, and discrimination within families and society, all stemming from gender-based bias.
She explained that the girl child is often the victim of exploitation, sexual abuse and violence.
According to her, “there are also cases where parents directly or indirectly induce their children to engage in prostitution or forced early marriage.
“While we have identified some of these cases in Abia state particularly through my office, we are more determined than ever to restore sanity to the society,” she said.
She further noted that if the girl child must grow, thrive and achieve greatness without hindrance, our leaders must renew their commitment to dismantle age long customs and traditions that mitigate against the development of the girl child.
However, We have made significant strides in protecting and empowering our girls.
One of the key achievements has been breaking the cycle of baby factories, particularly in the Isialangwa area, which had posed a grave challenge.
On several occasions, we have successfully rescued girls from the clutches of these baby factories and child trafficking syndicates.
Through our interventions, many young girls have been rescued, rehabilitated, provided with vocational training, education, and counseling, and reunited with their families.
Also we are collaborating with Kasbit, a renowned fashion designer that will be training over 1,000 girls in fashion designing, including the art of traditional Akwete cloth making.
In her address, the commissioner for women affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa call on parents to empower the girl child.
According to her, ” when you train the girl child, you have empowered a nation.
The United Nations resolution is meant to promote the girl child advancement and empowerment, it is also meant to address the challenges the girl child faces in the society.
The event featured drama, dance, quiz competition, fashion parades, gift and empowerment to the girls who attended the event.
