In a significant move towards advancing gender equality, key government figures have pledged their commitment to implementing comprehensive policies aimed at enhancing the inclusion of the girl child across various sectors of society.
 
The commitment was made at the sixth The Osasu Show (TOS) symposium with the theme: ‘Girls Today Leaders Tomorrow: Advancing women representation through policy’, held at the National Assembly Library, Abuja, involving notable leaders, including the Vice President, Kashim Shettima;  Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and  Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
 
They emphasised the urgent need to foster environments where girls can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of the socio-economic challenges they may be facing. 
 
The opinion leaders acknowledged that addressing issues such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for girls was crucial for the nation’s holistic development.
 
One of the focal points of their conversations was the proposal to prioritise the allocation of reserved seats for women in both national and state assemblies, aimed at ensuring that women’s voices are adequately represented in the decision-making processes that shape the country’s future.
   
Speaking at the event, Shettima, represented by his Technical Adviser on Women, Youth Engagement, and Impact, Hauwa Liman, underscored the current administration’s recognition of the vital role women play in nation-building, stressing the importance of increased female representation in parliament as a crucial step towards fostering a stronger nation.
 
He explained that his office is proud to have young women in strategic advisory roles, working on policy development, leading impactful programmes, and managing youth and women’s empowerment initiatives that benefit millions of Nigerians.
 
The Sultan, on his part, reflected on the rich history of women’s involvement in politics and education in pre-colonial Nigeria, urging a return to these values in the face of current challenges. 
 
He encouraged Nigerians to embrace their history and culture as a source of strength, and reiterated his support for initiatives that positively impact women.   Kalu, similarly, highlighted important statistics from the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), stating that approximately 189 million girls are householders, emphasising that the girl child embodies possibility rather than mere vulnerability.