By Kemi Yesufu
On Saturday October 10, Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mary Ekpere-Eta, led major stakeholders to a settlement in Mabushi Abuja for a community outreach targeted at girls.
The outreach which had Ekpere-Eta distributing hygiene kits to many girls was part of activities to mark the international Day of the Girl Child. This year’s celebration has as its theme: My Voice Our Equality.
In her welcome address, the NCWD Director-General called on girls to remain steadfast in the push for a good life. She stressed the need for girls to complete their education and always search for knowledge, which would help them in excelling. She thanked Procter&Gamble, manufacturers of popular sanitary pads, ‘Always’ for donating free pads to girls, part of which were handed over to girls who attended the outreach.
NCWD’s helmswoman asked that parents ensure that their homes, community and schools are safe places for girls, saying the girl-child needs all the protection she can get as they grow into adults. She said the Centre is committed having the voices of girls and women heard, as this is necessary for gender equality.
She disclosed that the NCWD set up a menstrual hygiene corner as the anchor for the Centre’s drive to improve personal hygiene among girls across the country and protect them from exploitation when they search for money to purchase sanitary pads when on their periods.
“We are here to take the message of education for a fulfilled life, personal hygiene with menstrual hygiene at its center, to our girls in low income communities. We are happy to be among you, as we believe that today’s messages will resonate in your minds and will bring about positive change”, she said.
Also speaking at the event, minister for Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen said the Buhari Administration is making the necessary investment to further improve girl child education. Tallen who spoke in Hausa also called on girls at the event to avoid actions that would stop them from completing their education. She again thanked Procter & Gamble for supporting the NCWD to make sanitary pads available to girls.
On her part, Chairperson House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, Otunba Wunmi Onanuga, expressed optimism that the girls will perform better, as many women have paved way in different sectors. She commended Tallen and Ekpere-Eta for prioritizing the rights, safety and welfare of girls. She urged girls as the event to aim for the top as they could one day occupy high offices including that of the president, minister and members of the National Assembly. She reiterated her commitment to the passage of laws that promote gender equality.
Also speaking at the event, chairperson House of Representatives Committee on INEC, Hajiya Aisha Dukku tasked girls on remaining in school and completing their education. Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) asked girls to stay away from anything that could truncate their education. “I heard you say yes to prayers for you to become ministers, members of the National Assembly or even president.
Education is the only vehicle through which you can get into these positions. So you must as young girls stay away from anything that will stop your education”, Orelope-Adefulire said.
National President National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Dr. Laraba Shoda focused her goodwill message on the need for mothers to give girls sex education. She opined that with the right form of sex education girls will not be abused, even as they are better empowered to make decisions on their reproductive health.
Priscilla Achakpa gave girls at the event a pep talk on menstrual hygiene. Achakpa listed other ways of girls maintaining personal hygiene, saying mothers must teach girls about their bodies at the right age.
Representative of the community, Hon. Tanko Yamayo said girls in his community will benefit from the information shared, even as the hygiene kits given them would be useful.
The event had light moments which included a lively performance by Gbaygi Mizh Gbagyizamu cultural troupe.
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