“Closing the gender gap in poverty through early and gender-responsive education,” according to Ms. Oyekan, is the program’s main goal.
Concerned about the difficulties faced by girls due to factors like rising out-of-school cases, period poverty, financial illiteracy, and child marriage, among others, Human and Social Sustainability Network Africa (HSSN), a group that works to combat poverty through education, launched the “Girl Power Programme,” a three-day event, in Lagos, on Wednesday.
Students from Obele Community Junior School participated in the second project in the series, which was hosted at Ideal Girls Junior High School, Randle Avenue, in the Surulere district of Lagos, as part of the events to honor the International Day of the Girl Child in 2024.
The initiative became necessary, according to HSSN, a youth-led social enterprise dedicated to addressing the global challenge of poverty through strategic initiatives in education, skill empowerment, and advocacy. This was due to the need to close the wide communication gaps that currently exist between the younger and older generations and to increase awareness among young girls about the power of information.
Funmilayo Oyekan, the executive director of the organization, states that the program’s main goal is to “close the gender gap in poverty through early and gender-responsive education.”
Announcing that her team would be teaching participants on financial literacy, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and academic achievement for three days, Ms. Oyekan urged the kids to learn and ask “a lot of questions.”
“We have workshops on STEM careers to help you learn how to explore industries in the science, technology, engineering, and all other fields that girls should explore, and on leadership and innovation to help you become better leaders,” the speaker stated.
Project collaborator Enitan Oluwa also spoke, harping on a variety of topics including blood group, genotype, cervical cancer, breast exams, and menstruation poverty.
According to her, the outreach is an initiative to give the girl child more power.
I see period poverty more as a result of ignorance. It goes beyond simply not owning any pads. There are numerous myths that must be disproved, the speaker stated.
To meet the requirements of girls throughout the nation in terms of education, health, and safety, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday requested the government to proclaim a state of emergency on the protection and welfare of girl children.
“Child marriage remains prevalent across Nigeria, with the northern zones showing alarming statistics,” stated Ireti Kingible, the senator from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who introduced the resolution.
The 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), she added, revealed that more over 44% of females get married before turning 18, with high rates in states like Zamfara, Bauchi, and Sokoto.
Girls who were married as children were locked into oppressive cycles of poverty and were denied their rights to health care, education, and a safe upbringing. It is noted that the girl child faces unique but equally urgent issues in each of the six geopolitical zones,” the speaker stated.
The senator begged the Senate to push for the federal government to domesticate and enforce the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act, with an emphasis on ending harmful customs like female genital mutilation and child marriage while guaranteeing the safety and empowerment of girls.
The International Day of the Girl Child
The topic for the 11th October International Day of the Girl Child in 2024 is “Girls’ Vision for the Future.”
This year’s theme, which is inspired by the strength of girls’ voices and their vision for the future, communicates the necessity of both immediate action and unwavering hope.
The United Nations General Assembly recognized the rights of girls and the particular difficulties they face globally on December 19, 2011, when they enacted Resolution 66/170, designating October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child.
The International Day of the Girl Child draws attention to the issues that girls confront and highlights the need to empower them and ensure that their human rights are fulfilled.
Some of the students who attended HSSN’s enlightenment session on Wednesday, however, have praised the program, calling it a much-needed intervention that gave them the freedom to express who they are and what issues they face.
Following the event, Darasimi Sulaimon, one of the participants, told PREMIUM TIMES that she felt emboldened.
She continued, “I’ve learned that girls have strength and that we shouldn’t be afraid of them. If you’re a girl going through a menstrual cycle, don’t be embarrassed to talk about it. In addition, Blessing Onesi, a different student, stated she had learned “so much …” items that I will find beneficial later on.
“I learned that we should be clean by using appropriate pads anytime that you are on period,” the woman remarked.
“We were also taught to raise our right hands and check the breast for lumps with our left hands, and to do the same with the other breast as well.”
She claimed to have studied the menstrual cycle as well.
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