The office of the wife of Abia Governor in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Abia state today marks the international day of the girl child themed “invest in girls’ rights; our leadership and well-being”.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, said that the theme chosen for this year’s celebration, “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being,” instantly brings into sharp focus the need to entrench girl child rights in our polity, and to nurture and sustain important institutions that can guarantee the rights of the girl child in our society today.
The Governor’s wife noted that the deepening poverty created by a general slump in the economy is making it difficult for families to prioritize care and education for the girl child. Mrs. Otti, also lamented that in today’s society, the girl child is often the victim of exploitation, sexual abuse and violence especially in recent times.
According to her, “there are cases where parents directly or indirectly induced their children to engage in prostitution or forced early marriage”
“As the wife of Abia Governor, I stand as a guardian and defender of the girl child against abuse and sexual harassment. We will not tolerate any form of violence, and without relenting pursue justice” she said.
However, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, justice and law enforcement institutions as well as other stakeholders who are working in Abia are called to support Governor Alex Otti to make our state safer and more empowering for the girl child to realize her potential.
In her contributions, the chief judge of Abia state, Justice Lillian Agbai, thanked the Governor’s wife for adding her voice to the rights of the girl child.
Meanwhile, the commissioner for women’s affairs and poverty alleviation, Mrs. Ngozi Felix that despite significant progress in recent time, gender-based violence, and inequalities remains a pervasive issue.
However, as a responsible administration under the leadership of Governor Otti, we shall redouble our efforts and commitment towards providing the girl child with the necessary skills, empowerment, scholarship, business startup support that will enable the girl child develop skills” Mrs. Felix said.
Earlier, the keynote speaker, Mrs. Naomi Thompson, called on the Nigerian government to support the girl child through empowerment, education and protection.
According to her, if you educate the girl child, you have succeeded in empowering the nation. Therefore all hands must be on deck, the media, and civil society organizations should come forth with dependable working documents that will not only protect but develop the potential of the girl child.
