The Inclusion Project (TIP) has intensified calls for urgent action to address barriers undermining girls’ success in society, including their education.

The group, on account of this, convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue that spotlighted the far-reaching impact of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and systemic inequalities on young girls across communities.

The dialogue brought together key actors from the justice sector, law enforcement agencies, education institutions, as well as community and religious leaders, alongside girls themselves, to interrogate the challenges limiting access to safe and quality education.

Central to the discussions were the intersecting pressures of SGBV, poverty, early marriage, insecurity, and weak accountability systems, all of which continue to threaten girls’ enrolment, retention, and overall well-being in school.

According to the TIP director, Mrs Pamela Okoroigwe, participants at the dialogue underscored the urgent need for stronger institutional responses, particularly within the justice system.

Stakeholders, she said, called for thorough investigations, evidence-based prosecution, and survivor-centred approaches that ensure victims are protected from further trauma.

They also stressed the importance of timely justice delivery as a deterrent against abuse and exploitation.

A recurring theme at the dialogue was the necessity of sustained collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and communities to create safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments where girls can thrive without fear.

In a major highlight of the event, TIP unveiled the Girls’ Education Monitoring Scorecard – a pioneering tool designed by girls to assess critical factors such as safety, inclusion, hygiene, access to justice, and participation within schools and communities.

The scorecard aimed to generate credible, grassroots evidence to drive reforms and foster constructive engagement, rather than apportion blame.

Speaking at the event, TIP’s Programme Officer, Merem Confidence, emphasised the transformative potential of the initiative.

She noted that placing girls at the centre of monitoring and evaluation empowers them to become active advocates for their rights while strengthening accountability mechanisms within education and governance systems.

“By centring girls in the monitoring and evaluation of their education and community experiences, we are empowering them to advocate for their rights while ensuring accountability and inclusion,” she said.

TIP reiterated its commitment to leveraging legal frameworks, community engagement, and sustained advocacy to safeguard vulnerable girls and expand inclusive educational opportunities.

The organisation maintained that every girl, regardless of her socio-economic background or location, deserves access to 12 years of uninterrupted, quality education in an environment free from violence, fear and discrimination.

The dialogue and the launch of the scorecard mark a significant step in amplifying girls’ voices in decision-making processes, while reinforcing the collective responsibility of stakeholders to dismantle barriers and build a more equitable education system.