Stakeholders advocate financial literacy for women’s freedom

Stakeholders have emphasised the need for financial independence, literacy and mastery as tools for women growth. Adding that it plays an important role in building confidence and availing women with options. This was the thrust at the Screening of Afefe and Period, a movie in commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child, organised by Hacey Health Initiative.

Corporate Social Investment Officer, Wema Bank Plc., Oluwatoyin Adetunji, urged the girls to invest in gaining information, which starts by developing a mindset that sees money as a tool. She said that the celebration of the girl child day recognises the impact that girls are having on the global economy, societal impact, and community development. 

For her, a major challenge girls face is lack of access to education as 60 per cent of the 18.5 million children who are out of school are females according to United Nation. She added that this factor is heightened by period poverty, which has been amplified by the current economic hardships.

Executive Director, Hacey Health Initiative, Rhoda Robinson, highlighted the need to draw attention to the powerful strength in girl’s voices and the need to listen and respond when girls speak.

She said that overtime there had been a gradual increase and strengthening of girls and their ability to demand literacy and access to things required for them to live healthy and sustainable lives. She added that the event also shed light on the various challenges girls face and what stakeholders can do to ensure ever girl has equal opportunity to achieve her desires.

Country Manager, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Anita Adesiyan, who spoke about the movie said Afefe spoke about the challenges women in the Nigerian society face in regards to their obligations within the family, how they have to put their own dreams and aspirations aside so that they can cater to what the society expects from them. “We also have another short piece called ‘Period’ where we actually touch on or highlight the disadvantages we face with menstruation for young girls,” she added.

During the event, winners from an essay competition were announced and awarded. Mercy Ogwogho of Dabitos College came first, followed by Emmanuella Odesola of Itolo Girls Junior Secondary and Emmanuella Nnalue of The African Church Model College.