Parenting Tips

Incessant Rape of the Girl Child and Cry For Justice

By Web News 830

By Olaitan Oye-Adeitan 

Has the girl child now become nothing other than an object to be shredded rather than treasured,valued and nurtured?


This question is borne out of the fact that hardly would a day pass without reports of sexual harassment in the form of rape or defilement as the case may be.


On a daily basis,the media is  awashed with stories of the girl child being raped. Little girls even as young as one month to five years old equally go through the agony of defilements.


It baffles one however that perpetrators of this dastardly act are fathers, brothers,uncles, guardians, neighbors,teachers and head teachers alike.


These are people who ordinarily should protect, guide and care for these innocent,lovely and beautiful beings.

Like a lion laying in wait for its prey are rapists in their evil scheme to pounce on an innocent girl who goes through her day unsuspecting of a hunter that may have laid ambush for her.

A rapist and his victim

And the hunters hide even in the most unimaginable places; the schools, church,houses of  neighbors or among relatives.


The victim is now left to bear the physical and psychological trauma which ,if not properly managed could leave on her,a permanent scar.

So, where then is safe for the girl child?
Perpetrators when they have succeeded in carrying out their nefarious act even go to the extent of threatening to kill their victim if she dared to expose them.


While some victims come out of this experience alive,it is unfortunate that some lose their lives in the process, without getting justice, leaving on the heart of the victim’s family, double loss and sorrow.


Unfortunately, if ever caught and charged to court,the rapist on many occasions is granted bail due to weak legislation on rape issues.
This inflicts more wound in the heart of the victim.


While the law stipulates a twenty years imprisonment for rape cases, it is however sad that very few offenders had been made to serve the prescribed jail term, making others to keep mute on it.


If the dignity, welfare and future of the girl child would not be left in jeopardy, it is high time the law began to take its full course on rapists, by punishing culprits regardless of whose ox is gourd.


Parents must be alert and curious of unfolding events around and behavior of their children.They should give their little girl the freedom of expression anytime she wants to discuss with them.


Often times, many kids are left to nurse their pains silently alone due to refusal of their parents to listen to them and erroneous belief that a child has no issue of concern.


The custody of these children is equally vital, especially when parents are not around.Any unusual closeness or attachment from neighbors, friends or unknown individuals with the girl child must also be investigated by parents and challenged where necessary to avoid unsuspecting danger.


It is advisable that parents do not overlook the importance of educating their female child on the realities of life and how to blow the whistle in case of rape attempt.


The community  also has the responsibility of keeping an eye on activities and movements around them so as to quickly expose any shady or unwholesome act.


Everyone should bear in mind that the child you save today may just be your only hope of tomorrow and a future beacon of her society’s progress and development.

A News Commentary By Olaitan Oye-Adeitan.

Education

Give more priority to Girl-Child education – MWAN charges FG

By Web News 606

As the world marks International Day of the Girl Child, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Oyo State chapter has congratulated Nigerian girls on this year’s celebrations.

The president of the association, Dr Oyindamola Adeyemi in a message to mark the day, said this year’s celebration will spur the girls and daughters to diligently pursue excellence and achieve greatness through education.

According to Dr Adeyemi, quality education empowers the girl child and enables them to become leaders and women with vision.

She revealed that the association is promoting Girl Child education through advocacy and partnership with relevant stakeholders in the education sector in Nigeria.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration“Digital Generation: Our generation”, Dr Adeyemi said girls are a fundamental source of transformational change for gender equality and technology which is a crucial tool to support their work, activism and leadership.

She explained that the Medical Women Association of Nigeria would not relent in its efforts at empowering girls to become positive agents in Nigeria and the world at large.

Dr Adeyemi advocated equal access to the internet and digital devices for girls’ to excel in their future endeavours.

She posited that girls are breaking boundaries and barriers, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities.

The association, therefore, called on the federal government to give more priority to education and ensure the ongoing ASUU strike is resolved urgently to avoid jeopardizing the future of Nigerian youths.

Nafiu Busari

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Education

Monarch Advocates Compulsory Girl Child Education

By Web News 1395

A traditional ruler in Osun State, the Olona of Ada in Boripe Local Government, Oba Oyetunde Ojo has described compulsory education of a girl child and women empowerment as the most functional approach to abolishing poverty in the society.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria in his palace, Oba Oyetunde said empowering a woman stabilized the domestic economy and had a multiplier effect on the security of lives and property in the community.

The Monarch who described such as the driving focus of his reign since his emergence two years ago appealed to traditional rulers and wealthy people in every community to lead the campaign of compulsory free education for girl child and provide impetus to support business activities of indigent women in their domains.

He said every girl child must be forced to have at least basic education, while all women must be allowed to be involved in economic activities, no matter how small.

The Olona of Ada also advocated what he called Constitutional recognition for traditional rulers because of their indispensable role in ensuring security and peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic groups in their kingdoms.

He said often when the legal authorities ran into crisis with the people, they often resorted to the traditional authorities for solutions, noting that Colonial powers could not wish the traditional institutions away, hence their legal preservation of customary laws and power.

Oba Oyetunde who is a retired University Don explained that such advocacy was not for a return to the practice under colonial rule where ‘Obas’ were members of the legislature, but a constitutional arrangement where some programmes of government would be driven through the palaces for ease and just distribution of wealth among the people.

On farmers/herders relationship, the traditional rulers said most disagreements between them were often amicably resolved to lead to marriages between Fulanis and natives of Ada, while he proposed to give chieftaincy title to one of the Fulani leaders in his domain.

Adenitan Akinola

Lifestyle

International Women’s Day: NAWOJ Tasks Stakeholders on Girl Child Empowerment

By Web News 601

Women journalists have been urged to braze up to the challenge of all round development and safety of the Nigerian girl child through deployment of their expertise to curb the menace of gender violence and abuse prevalent in the country.

Former state coordinator, National Orientation Agency of Nigeria, Mrs Dolapo Dosumu made the call in a paper presentation at the commemoration of 2021 International Women’s Day organized by Nigeria Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Oyo State Council.

Mrs. Dosumu lamented the spate of gender abuse, especially rape of underage girls in the country and challenged women journalists to not only expose perpetrators of the crime but educate and sensitize households on indicators responsible for gender abuse and ways to prevent it. 

The former NOA Boss, admonished women journalists to support themselves  and aspire for political leadership with the mission to helping the girl child to actualize their Dreams without being assaulted

In her remark the National Vice President, NAWOJ, B Zone, Mrs Omobola Akingbehin commended women journalists for their relentless efforts despite the unpalatable economic condition in the country.

Earlier, in an address of welcome, the chairperson NAWOJ Oyo state council, Mrs Jadesola Ajibola said the event was organized to motivate members towards actualizing their ambition.

High Point of the event was the presentation of awards to distinguished members of the union including, Immediate past Vice President of NAWOJ, B zone, Mrs Morenike Tony-Esan, former General Manager, Paramount FM, Abeokuta Mrs Olukemi Ajayi and Mrs. Folasade Orimolade of Radio Nigeria headquarters Abuja.

Rotimi Famakin 

Education

Girl child education is imperative -Tamunominini Makinde

By Web News 848

Investing in the girl child through proper academic support will no doubt influence their decisions when the need arises

Wife to the Oyo State governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde stated this at an event to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

Mrs Makinde who described illiteracy as a barrier to self development and self-esteem said for the girls to be heard, education must be taken with all seriousness.

Mrs Makinde cautioned girls against behaviours that could jeopardize their future ambitions of becoming great.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye decried discrimination against the girl child, while stating that concerted efforts should be geared towards educating them.

Some of the over 800 students drawn across all local governments of the state advised parents to give attention to the girl-child and create enabling environment for gender equality.

The programme featured cultural dance and presentation of gifts to the schools in attendance.

Seyifunmi Olarinde

Politics

2020 Women’s Day: Oyo Government Committed to Women Empowerment – Commissioner

By Web News 968

Oyo State government has charged women to drive actions that would promote gender equality the world deserved through collective and individual attitudinal change.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni gave this charge in her message to celebrate the 2020 Women’s Day with the theme “I Am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Right.”

Mrs Sanni said gender equality could be achieved through women empowerment and girl-child education among others and by ensuring women take full and effective participation in leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life.

She said Oyo state was taking steps to empower women, fight for their rights, provide equal access to economic resources, address all forms of violence and abuse against women and children, as key agents for change and drivers of sustainable development.

Alhaja Sanni urged women to be submissive, supportive and not compete with men but pursue their goals positively for desired change.

She called on all stakeholders to rededicate and reposition themselves in improving quality of life for women and girl-child with much respect and dignity.

Iyabo Adebisi

Lifestyle

Protection of the Girl Child: Makinde Calls for Stakeholders’ Support

By Web News 1257

As the world marks 2019 International Day of the Girl Child, Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has called on all stakeholders especially parents, guardians and religious bodies to support his administration to promote girls empowerment and fulfillment of their Human Rights through education.

Governor Seyi Makinde made this call through the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni while receiving a letter from the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), at the state secretariat Ibadan.

Receiving the letter on behalf of the Governor, Alhaja Sanni who appreciated the association for their concerted efforts with laudable achievements in terms of service to God and humanity said, a girl child should be supported in all forms as they were the most vulnerable to all vices.

Earlier while delivering the letter to the commissioner for onward delivery to the governor, Oyo state Chairperson of FOMWAN, Doctor Bushira Oloso noted the achievements of the present administration within a short period in office in education sector among which were free educational materials and free education.

Dr. Oloso therefore appealed to Governor Makinde for speedy completion and implementation of Family Court so that perpetrators of evil acts to girls and women at large would be prosecuted according to the law.

Iyabo Adebisi

News Analysis

Empowering the Girl Child

By Web News 938

Since 2012, October 11 has been dedicated as International Day of the Girl Child.

The day is aimed at promoting girls empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.

The day also highlights the needs and challenges girls face with a view to addressing them.

The theme for this year’s observation “With Her: A Skilled Girl Force” is apt as more girls are being inspired to take charge of their own future.

Statistics by the United Nations show that one point one billion girls of today’s world are challenging the status quo.

Gone are the days when girls fold their hands and watch boys embark on innovative projects.

Girls today are venturing into fields previously dominated by men against all odds.

Across the world, girls face innumerable challenges to obtain education, training and enter into the work force.

Globally, this year alone it is estimated that twelve million girls under the age of eighteen will be married and twenty one million girls aged fifteen to nineteen years will become pregnant in developing regions.

Despite these challenges, they remain resolute and determined to succeed.

The female adult literacy rate in the country is put at over fifty nine percent in contrast to the male adult literacy rate of seventy-four percent, indicating that there is a gender dimension to educational attainment and development in Nigeria.

Over the years, significant improvement has been achieved in ensuring access to education such as construction of schools and provision of scholarship to cover enrollment fee.

Despite these, an estimated seventy-seven million children, fifty-five percent of who are girls are still denied any form of education in the country.

This begs for a review of strategies to include the creation of a conducive environment that would facilitate retention and success of girls in the school and in life.

The girl child needs to be empowered in order to be future leader, self-fulfilled and model to her community.

To this end, scholarship programmes aimed at bridging gender gap should be introduced to promote girls empowerment.

Since Nigeria’s future development, peace and prosperity are hinged on investing in the female child, empowering women and girls would help to strengthen some of the foundation stones for supporting women.

Government, traditional and religious leaders, private sector, civil society, development partners, women and men should device means to work together to improve the lives of girls and women in the country.

Since findings reveal that early marriage, female genital mutilation and taboos are some of the socio-cultural factors affecting Nigeria girl child, measures should be put in place to protect them from harm.

Furthermore, family and friends should give full support to the girl child to encourage and build a self-esteem that would propel them to greater heights.

Also, setting up vocational centres and girls club in schools will go a long way in helping the Nigeria girl child in reaching her full potential in life.

Most importantly, the federal government of Nigeria should make sure that all laws prohibiting malpractices against girl child and women are religiously implemented.

Empowering the female child is affirmative of the saying that training a girl child is tantamount to training a nation.

Anthonia Akanji