Female students in Enugu State have called on the state government to adopt and domesticate the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-free Schools in the state.
The students made the call recently while some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) celebrated the International Day of the Girl-Child at Solid Foundation International Academy, Amaechi-Akwunannaw near Enugu.
A senior student of the school, Miss Vivian Igwe, said that the policy would create a safe learning environment for school users and strengthen coordination among relevant institutions on school safety and security.
Igwe said that the policy also developed procedures within the school to be followed in addressing cases of suspected abuse; while the government should focus on ending all violence in schools, whether physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and gender-based etc.
“Ensure safety of school facilities, which will focus on the proper dissemination of safety and security policies to staff and learners as well as all affiliates of education,” she said.
Deputy Senior Prefect of the school, Miss Favour Ani, called for the end of all forms of conflict on the girl-child, adding there was a need for prevention of conflict hazards like civil unrest and kidnapping in schools.
Ani acknowledged the role that the International Day of the Girl-Child had played to eliminate deep rooted gender-based issues in the society; noting that “education is power”.
“An educated and skilled woman is far more effective in preventing infant mortality and proven to take care of the house more and contribute more to the society than an uneducated and unskilled woman,” she said.
Earlier, Dr Tobechukwu Agujiobi, State Coordinator, Civil Society Action Coalition of Education for All, stressed on the importance of making education a priority and right of every girl-child.
Agujiobi said: “Girls do not allow your minds to be diverted from education and do not allow guys to impregnate you nor infect you with sexual diseases.
“Flee from premarital sexual relationship because it is a threat to your future. Be a girl with a difference; be obedient, prayerful, disciplined and respectful.”
Dr Chris Ugwu, Executive Director, Society for the Improvement of Rural People (SIRP), an NGO, said that the girl-child faces lots of problems ranging from education, cultural norms practices, physical and mental illnesses and female gentile mutilation among others.
Ugwu said that the NGO was working to improve the lot of the girl-child and make them unstoppable, adding that with concerted efforts “the girl-child is now breaking away from things holding them”.
According to him, the girls are now holding their heads up high in the society and emulating progressive and prosperous fame and internationally recognised female Nigerians.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure that the rights of every girl-child are protected and for the government to make policies that tackles inequalities experienced by girls, especially while accessing education, nutrition, health care and psychological support services”.
The International Day of the Girl Child is an annual Day set aside by the United Nations every Oct. 11 to celebrate the girl-child and showcase challenges they face given their gender.
