Minister advocates policies, programmes to empower girls

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, has challenged the three tiers of government to come up with policies and programmes that would encourage girls to realise their potential.

The minister stated this at the weekend in Abuja during an event organised by Helpline Foundation for the Needy in collaboration with Make A Difference for the Needy Foundation, as part of activities to commemorate the 2019 International Girl Child Day.

Aliyu, who identified mentorship as key to growth and development of girls, called on parents, especially mothers, to always monitor the emotional growth of their girls given their close relationships.

Speaking on the theme ‘Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow’, the minister said that the “FCT administration has already taken the bold step of increasing the enrolment rate of girl children in schools. As it is, we are almost recording 50:50 participation in schools.

President of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said the event was aimed at amplifying the voices of girls and to ensure that they stand for their rights, adding that in nearly 25 years of Beijing Declaration, girls have moved from dreaming to achieving.

Speaking in the same vein, the founder of Make A Difference for the Needy Foundation, Mrs. Maria Ogbonnaya-Ngwu, maintained that the essence of the programme was borne out of the belief that every girl has the potential to transform her life, regardless of her background.

Barely one month to the governorship election in Kogi State, the Challenge Parenthood Initiative (CPI) has called for stringent legislation towards ending violence against women during elections.

The Executive Director of the non governmental organisation (NGO), Eunice Agbogun, made the call, weekend, at a stakeholders’ meeting with security agencies, community leaders and political parties.

Meanwhile, President-General, Unity Schools Students Association (USOSA), Lawrence Wilbert, has made case for the education of girls across the country.

Wilbert made this known at the 36th Plenary/Annual General Meeting of the association at the Federal Government College, Malali, Kaduna State, over the weekend.

While lauding the Queens College Old Girls Association for initiating the ‘The Girl Force Movement’, a movement that respects, validates and encourages (including education) girls, the USOSA president called on members to support the movement.