On Friday, the girl-child was celebrated all over the world on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl, with the theme ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. In these interviews by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, Bunmi Dipo-Salami, ex-Ekiti State commissioner and Executive Director of BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights; Amanda Obidike, child-child advocate and founder of STEMi Makers of Africa; Stella Uzochukwu-Denis, girl-child advocate and CEO/Programme Director of Odyssey Educational Foundation; Edem Ossai, development practitioner and founder of Mentoring Assistance for Youths and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN); and Roseline Adewuyi, girl-child advocate and founder of the Roseline Initiative, spoke on how the Nigerian girl-child can envision a better future for herself.
Bunmi Dipo-Salami
Are you generally happy with the current realities of the common Nigerian girl-child?
Not at all. Tracing back to how far we have come as a country in 64 years, and the fact that we have made some progress in certain areas of development, the progress of women and girls is still not a priority. They experience discrimination in access to education, access to healthcare, food, nutrition, and opportunities for an enriched life. Many girls are married off before they reach adulthood. Available data show that Nigeria has the highest rate of child brides in Africa with an estimate of over 24 million. These obstacles restrict their potential and opportunities, making it imperative for stakeholders to continue advocating for their rights and well-being.
Do you think the girl-child is capable of envisioning her future in a patriarchal Nigerian society?
The only limitation to success is the mind. So, yes, I firmly believe that the girl-child is capable of envisioning her future, even within a patriarchal society. The question to ask is: Is the girl-child enabled to envision a future? Many girls today are more aware of their rights and the possibilities that lie ahead. With the right support systems — such as mentorship programmes and community initiatives — they can cultivate a vision for their futures that transcends societal limitations.
What are the vital things this future the girl-child must envision should contain?
The future envisioned by the girl-child should encompass several vital issues such as access to a comprehensive education that empowers them with knowledge and skills; opportunities for vocational training and entrepreneurship to foster financial self-sufficiency; and access to healthcare services, including reproductive health education, to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Other include a safe environment free from gender-based violence, where they can thrive without fear; and the freedom to strive to be the best version of themselves.
What tools or training do you think the girl-child needs to help her envision a better future for herself?
To envision a better future, the girl-child needs several essential tools and training: They include training in digital skills to navigate an increasingly technology-driven world effectively. Mentoring opportunities, both virtual and physical, to receive guidance from women leaders and role models who can inspire and provide practical advice on overcoming challenges. They also need access to opportunities that foster growth.
By equipping girls with these tools, we empower them not only to envision a brighter future but also to actively pursue it with confidence and determination.
Amanda Obidike
Are you generally happy with the current realities of the common Nigerian girl-child?
There has been tremendous progress in promoting the advancement of the girl-child in Nigeria. From policymaking to community development, access to education, reproductive health and rights, work readiness and skills development, etc. There have also been collaborative efforts and multi-stakeholder approaches that address socio-economic barriers the girl-child faces in Nigeria.
I am content with the level of enthusiasm from all stakeholders to strengthen economies and reduce inequality. However, we should not relent in leading efforts to build up local capacity and infrastructure, as the importance of girl-child education and the fight against poverty remains a fundamental human right.
Do you think the girl-child is capable of envisioning her future in a patriarchal Nigerian society?
Oh yes, absolutely! Both men and women are victims of the patriarchal society we live in. The sooner we see that, the better. We live in a society where a few strong systems of oppression are at play – class, race, imperialism. Gender inequality is also one of them. People of all genders, tribes, and backgrounds are victims. And definitely, some more than others.
Education is the first key instrument to overcoming our patriarchal society towards a society where girls are free to dream and excel. What we teach adolescent girls today will impact the life choices that they make in the future. If we want an equal society, we have to embed it in our education system. If we want to inspire all adolescent girls to achieve their best, promote positive relationships, and increase gender equality, we have to rebuild positivity in our education system.
What are the vital things this future the girl-child must envision should contain?
Education. Access to economic opportunities. Improved policies on gender development and inclusion.
What tools or training do you think the girl-child needs to help her envision a better future for herself?
Several mechanisms accelerate the girl-child development. Mentoring has remained integral towards a sustainable and envisioned outcome of the girl-child, as younger adolescent girls can look up to esteemed women for guidance, leadership, academic support, etc. We can encourage more girls to go through skills development in technology, vocational apprenticeship, taking subjects that will lead to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries and end the ‘leaky pipeline’ that prevents talented women from entering and thriving in STEM industries.
Stella Uzochukwu-Denis
Are you generally happy with the current realities of the common Nigerian girl child?
I would not say I am totally happy about the current realities of the common Nigerian girl-child. I also understand that, apart from the government, the family also has a role to play. The family must be intentional about ensuring that they help inculcate the right mindset to help the girl-child realise her self-worth. Achievement in life is about believing and thinking it is possible, then it begins to manifest. I know the government can do better, but I would like families to support the girl-child to achieve their dreams.
Do you think the girl child is capable of envisioning her future in a patriarchal Nigerian society?
Oh, sure. The girl-child is capable of envisioning a future in Nigerian society. This is why I say, believe and agree with the saying that: Where there is a will, there is a way. I know there are a lot of stereotypes making sure the girl-child is kept behind and below. Parents are also posed with subtly dishing these stereotypes like saying daughters should help them in the kitchen while the boys are allowed to play football.
What are the vital things this future the girl-child must envision should contain?
The vital thing she should envision is the right to quality education. In this envisioned future, women should be equally represented in leadership roles across industries ─ from government to corporate sectors. She should envision a future where technology bridges the gender gap. They should be well-versed in using digital tools for education, communication, and entrepreneurship. A future where girls are provided with resources, mentorship, and training to become successful entrepreneurs, creating businesses that not only empower them but also contribute to societal change.
What tools or training do you think the girl-child needs to help her envision a better future for herself?
It is important to provide her with a combination of practical tools, resources, and a supportive environment that fosters growth. Girls need environments where they can experiment, innovate, and express themselves freely. Safe learning spaces. Having mentors and role models who inspire confidence and ambition can reshape a girl’s perspective of what is possible. Girls need to be comfortable with technology, whether it is learning to code, artificial intelligence (AI) use, or any technology.
It is important to teach girls how to manage money and think entrepreneurially. By integrating these tools and resources into their lives, girls can better visualise and work towards a future where they are confident, empowered, and able to pursue their dreams.
Edem Osssai
Are you generally happy with the current realities of the common Nigerian girl-child?
The average girl grapples with socioeconomic realities that narrow her life’s options before she understands her bearing in the world. Today, girls are still being married off before maturity, denied schooling, and exposed to sexual and gender-based violence because parents are absent. A host of other problems are queuing up behind poverty to limit girls’ potential.
I feel frustrated because society is still not building adequate social safeguards to protect girls from the ignorance, abuse and discrimination that surrounds them in families, schools and communities. However, my optimism stems from the fact that today’s girl has access to more information than the girl-child a decade ago. She is surrounded by examples of accomplished women in all areas. She needs to open her eyes.
Do you think the girl-child is capable of envisioning her future in a patriarchal Nigerian society?
Yes, it is possible. This is because of the leaps the world has recorded in media and internet-based technologies over the last two decades. From these, girls can and are envisioning futures for themselves. I have heard girls mention how they draw inspiration from women like Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Ibukun Awosika, Funke Akindele, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This is the power of the media. It shows girls alternative realities which they are clinging to in charting aspirations. Patriarchy, capable of aborting girls’ dreams, is no longer potent enough to prevent the conception of positive dreams.
What are the vital things this future the girl-child must envision should contain?
For girls to thrive, they must envision a future where they are highly capable and demonstrate their capacity to actualise it. They need to educate themselves and sharpen their skills in relevant areas. The future economy only rewards and celebrates individuals who create and add value. Girls’ brains are equally invited to participate in this new order. Therefore, the girl-child needs to develop herself. She should be hardworking, and innovative and solve problems in her little space.
What tools or training do you think the girl-child needs to help her envision a better future for herself?
Girls must master self-awareness, goal-setting, time management, emotional intelligence and essential communication skills. Next to this, girls must gain financial literacy. She must understand money, and how to make, manage, and grow it. Finally, she must understand social relationships, interactions, and interdependence. Gaining autonomy is not the same thing as going to war with men. We can only achieve harmony through interdependence. I encourage girls to resist voices that seek to subdue and destroy their potential while recognising friendly voices that seek to support their rise and share responsibilities with them based on their abilities and strengths.
Roseline Adewuyi
Are you generally happy with the current realities of the common Nigerian girl-child?
The current realities facing Nigerian girls do not totally satisfy me. Even though there has been progress in the areas of gender equality and education, many girls still face significant challenges such as cultural norms, gender stereotypes, and restricted access to high-quality education. Obstacles like early marriage, gender-based violence, and financial difficulties persist in impeding their advancement.
Still, I have hope, since more people are speaking up about these issues and becoming aware of them. To overcome these constraints and reach their full potential, it is imperative to give them greater chances, guidance, and resources. Much work still needs to be done.
Do you think the girl-child is capable of envisioning her future in a patriarchal Nigerian society?
Yes, the girl-child is capable of envisioning her future in a patriarchal Nigerian society. However, it requires empowerment and support. Despite societal constraints, many girls have shown resilience, breaking barriers in education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Initiatives promoting gender equality, education, and mentorship play key roles in equipping them with the tools to dream and achieve. We can help girls not only envision but also realise a future where they thrive, contribute meaningfully, and lead in various sectors, transforming society in the process by encouraging confidence, providing access to quality education, and challenging harmful gender stereotypes.
What are the vital things this future the girl-child must envision should contain?
Every young girl should see herself in an empowered, educated, and gender-neutral future. Equal chances in school and the workplace are essential, and prejudices from society that restrict her potential must be removed. She needs to regard herself as a leader who is self-assured in her skills and not scared to defy expectations. Her future has to be based on having access to high-quality medical care, being safe from harm, and having the autonomy to make her own decisions. She not only prospers in this vision but also helps to create a more equal and inclusive society where every girl’s voice is respected and heard.
What tools or training do you think the girl-child needs to help her envision a better future for herself?
The girl-child needs access to a good education, mentoring, and training in digital literacy to enable her to imagine a better future. Her education gives her the information and analytical abilities she needs, while her mentoring provides direction, self-assurance, and goal-setting. She can explore worldwide opportunities and negotiate the current world. Resilience and decision-making skills are also enhanced by leadership and life-skill training. To motivate her and defy social standards, she also has to be exposed to female role models and encouraging networks. The girl-child can reach new heights in all areas of life and realise her full potential with these tools.
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