In recognition of the International Girl Child Day celebration globally, the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), an arm of the United Nations appraising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs projects in Nigeria, in partnership with Brimminds Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has challenged the tiers of government to do more in the public enlightenment towards educating a girl child in Nigeria.
The International Director, IAWPA, His Eminence Ambassador Prof. Chidi Ehiriodo and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brimminds Foundation, Evang. Ambassador (Mrs) Doreen Onyemachi, the Chief Convener, made this known during a one-day International Girl Child Day conference in Lagos yesterday.
Ehiriodo, while speaking on the theme of this year’s International Girl Child Day celebration, “Invest in Girls Rights: Our leadership, Our well-being,” disclosed that the event was approved by the United Nations and has been celebrated since 2012 worldwide.
According to him, IAWPA has prioritized the development of a girl child because of the symbol of caring and determination in every woman towards contributing to economic stability of any nation. So, he stated as a UN affiliate, IAWPA has decided to support the girl child massively so that they can no longer be relegated to the background in decision making and education.
In her own remarks, the Chief Convener and Brimminds Foundation’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Evang. Ambassador (Mrs) Doreen Onyemachi, explained that there are still lots of stigma and segregation happening on females children in Nigeria and around the world, and there was need for government to do more in changing the narrative by allowing more girl child to aspire to a greater future, becoming Heads of State, being elected into legislative assembly and becoming a successful business women in the society.
According to her, this can only be achieved when government and key stakeholders invest more in girl child’s development, especially in education and other developmental purposes.
Mrs. Onyemachi said: “You know the stigma and segregation on female children. So, we consider it necessary to invest on them so they will not feel less of themselves. “Already, society is not doing justice to the female children. “So, we want to build that confidence in them, we want to build that knowledge in them, we want to educate them so they can stand on tomorrow; with ir without white collar jobs.”