‘Education policies must be gender-responsive’

An Ibadan-based non-profit organisation, Mentoring Assistance for Youths and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN), has called for gender-responsive educational policies that will take care of the girl child.

The Acting Executive Director of MAYEIN, Mrs. Ewa Orowale, made the call during the presentation of the MAYEIN Insights Report at a press briefing in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2024 at Old Bodija, Ibadan.

The report gave an insight into the findings of the research conducted between 2022 and 2023 on the challenges faced by schoolgirls in their education and provided valuable insights into the issues affecting girls’ education in Oyo State.

Orowale said MAYEIN had established that girls experience unique needs and challenges in their schooling and education journeys are quite distinct from their male counterparts.

While giving the background to the work, the acting Executive Director said: “12 years ago, an inspiring young lady – Mrs. Edem Ossai – had a burden for a greater Nigeria.

“A Nigeria where young people could live up to their fullest potential and this dream birthed MAYEIN.

“We envision a country whose youths can thrive and contribute to their communities and communities that thrive because of its young people.”

Orowale, therefore, charged policymakers and civil society organisations to prioritise gender-responsive policies to have a better society.

The Executive Director said: “There must be inclusive education policies for every child irrespective of gender, or social status and includes ensuring girls have equal participation in sports and extracurricular forms of development.

“Civil Society organisations should advocate for policies that promote girls’ education and address the challenges they face. They must ensure adequate funding and resources are allocated to support girls’ education”.

“To achieve real and sustainable development, it is our collective duty to ensure that no child girl or boy is left behind at a press briefing hosted by MAYEIN to launch the MAYEIN Insights Report on Challenges in Girls Education in Oyo State.”

Also speaking, a member of the Board of Trustees of MAYEIN, Mrs. Ibiyemi Ifaturoti, and a youth development practitioner, Mr. Solomon Adewale, urged the media to help amplify the voice of the organisation.