In an effort to tackle the issues faced by Nigerian girls, the UN Women, alongside His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu (V), the Obong of Calabar, urged the government to prioritise girls’ education, establish empowerment programs, and enhance legal protections and their enforcement.
On Tuesday in Calabar, UN Women partnered with the Ford Foundation to host a community town hall engagement in recognition of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, which had the theme “Girl’s Vision for the Future.”
At the event, UN Women representative Ms. Beatrice Eyong, represented by Ms. Kenechukwu Asuku, emphasised that providing quality education for all girls and young women is a fundamental human right, a key global developmental priority, and a strategic objective.
“As we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, it is crucial to remember that while we inspire girls to dream, we must also equip them with the means to realise those dreams. Thus, we are reaching out to our esteemed leaders to collaborate in making these aspirations achievable for young girls.”
She called on leaders to support girls in pursuing their ambitions, highlighting the need for girls to develop a passion for education rather than being forced into early marriage or subjected to servitude, slavery, rape, and abuse.
During the event, the Obong of Calabar underscored the necessity of increasing awareness about the importance of girls’ education, particularly in rural areas.
“I’m honoured to host the United Nations team in my palace today,” he stated. “I am delighted with this year’s theme.”
He expressed a vision for girls that extends beyond traditional roles, advocating for their presence in boardrooms, politics, and technology. “I believe that for every male role, there is a qualified female counterpart. We should therefore provide our women with more opportunities.”
He asserted that achieving this vision demands hard work, dedication, and a commitment from all community stakeholders to ensure that girls receive guidance and educational opportunities.
“As traditional leaders, we play a vital role in representing, reorienting, and guiding our communities. Practices like genital mutilation and other harmful traditions affecting the girl child must cease. Just as we’ve succeeded in abolishing the killing of twins and other archaic customs, we can do the same with this issue.”
He affirmed his kingdom’s commitment to protecting and empowering the girl child.
Finally, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, the Governor’s wife of Cross River State, represented by Dr. Inyang Asibong, Senior Special Adviser on Gender Mainstreaming, revealed that out of 18.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, an alarming 60% are girls, totalling about 11 million girls.
She mentioned that as part of government efforts, through her project Humanity Without Borders, the governor’s wife has trained over 8,000 girls in STEM, particularly those in junior and senior secondary schools, ensuring that every girl in Cross River has access to these opportunities.
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