Lack of access to quality education, cyber bullying, low self-esteem and lack of mentorship have been identified as issues that deter young girls from reaching their full potential in life.
This is according to some young girls, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at a forum to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) with the theme “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership and our Wellbeing.”
The forum was organised by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the British High Commission.
Miss Deborah Evbotokhai, one of the speakers at a panel discussion, said access to quality education would serve as major boost to achieving the aspirations of a girl.
“Sometimes when a girl even has access to education, you find out that all the necessary amenities such as books, chairs and tables are not available.
“In some of these places where there are no enough teachers, when they find teachers who are even willing to teach, there is the issue of insecurity. We also have cyber bullying, low self-esteem leading to mental health issues as some of our most pressing challenges,” she said.
On her part, Miss Nabila Abubakar, said many girls begin their menstrual cycle without having the necessary information about what it means and how it may impact their lives or their education, saying it is important for parents, guardians and the society to support girls whenever they have problems with their menstrual cycle.
According to Miss Aisha Muazu of the Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group, the IDGC is to celebrate the power, potential and talent of girls all over the world.
“We are gathered here today to acknowledge the immense contributions that girls make to the society from their innovative thinking to their remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
“The girl child has a lot of challenges and obstacles but in spite of all these, we still shine bright, make a difference in the world and on this day, we all come together to show our support for one another.
“For the millions of girls around the globe who face daily challenges, gender discrimination, limited access to education, discrimination and healthcare services, in spite of these, we are breaking barriers.
“So, as we come together today, let us commit to ensuring that every girl has the chance to reach her full potential,” she appealed.
The Wife of the Governor of Kwara State, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said it is time to make sure the rights of the girl-child are promoted to become whatever she wants to be in life.
According to her, adolescent girls have a right to safe education and the future is assured when investments are made in that regard.
Abdulrazaq also urged girls to embrace skills and vocational learning alongside schooling as this would guarantee profitable ‘side hustles’ for them.
On the issue of girls still in captivity by abductors, she said efforts should be intensified to make sure they regain freedom.
Dr. Rownak Khan, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, said the organisation had been advocating and working with government to make sure there is enough investment on girls’ issues.
According to her, the investments come in different forms, and include basic social services to make sure that girls have access to quality education, and all the services that relate to health and nutrition, water and sanitation such as menstrual hygiene.
The Development Director, British High Commission, Mr. Chris Pycroft, said through its programmes and advocacy, the commission is supporting women and girls affected by the conflict in Northeast and tackling gender-based violence, and adolescent girls should face no constraints in realising their full potential.
He said “our girls’ education programmes have already supported 1.5 million additional girls to access schooling in six states since 2012”.
