Early marriage is inimical to the overall well-being of the girl-child, hence the unwholesome practice must be stopped.
Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN Oyo State Chapter, expressed this displeasure at a sensitization programme held at Peoples’ Girls Grammar School, Molete Ibadan in Commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child
In a presentation entitled ‘Dangers of Early Child Marriage’, President of MWAN, Dr Oyindamola Adeyemi, described the girl child as a nation builder, pointing out that early marriage could occur as a result of unwanted pregnancy, which could affect the education, depression and mental illness to the child.
Dr Adeyemi enjoined the girl-child to see themselves as talented, urging them to avoid other acts that could disrupt their education.
In a presentation on Menstrual Disorder, the General Secretary of the association, Dr Simibiat Oseghe, said Mensural disorder in girl-child is curable, advising them to visit medical facilities and not to allow Male gender to abuse them sexually as a belief that it cures the menstrual disorder
Also, a Pediatrician, Dr Amarachi Bayo said the girl child has a promising future cautioning them to desist from unwanted pregnancy.
Some of the students at the event appreciated MWAN, Oyo State Chapter for the sensitization and promised to work hard in their education pursuit.
The high point of the event was the cultural dance, quiz and presentation of gifts.
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo State, has organized a week-long activity to mark one year in office of the present exco with various programmes and to showcase its achievements.
The week-long activities afforded the Executive of MWAN led by DR Oyindamola Adeyemi to donate items to Oluyole Chesire Home, Ibadan and FOMWAN Orphanage Home, Basorun Ibadan, donation of books on Adolescent Health to some Secondary Schools in Oyo state in collaboration with the Oyo state Ministry of Education.
The book titled What Adolescents Are Asking about Menstruation was written and published by MWAN OYO YDF (2019-2021 Biennium) in conjunction with the MWAN OYO Research team in November 2021.
The Executive also observed Jumat Service at University College Hospital, UCH Central Mosque, Ibadan and the thanksgiving service was held at RCCG Jesus Tower, Jericho, Ibadan.
Speaking to newsmen while distributing the books to some selected public schools in Oyo state, the President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo State, Dr Oyindamola Adeyemi, said young females need valid information and the right knowledge to understand the concept of menstruation.
Dr Adeyemi said the Association remained committed to the welfare of the girl child through advocacies and partnership with relevant stakeholders of the society.
The MWAN President noted that the book would empower young girls, parents and teachers with valid information about menstruation, sexual and reproductive health, which she said, had been well-researched by a team of experts.
She said that culturally, limited discussions on menstrual and sexual-related matters encourage widespread dissemination of false information.
According to her, this is worsened by our girls seeking answers to their concerns from their peers and social media where they also encounter false information.
Dr Adeyemi said that the wrong information made young females vulnerable to unscrupulous elements in society to prey on their innocence.
“Therefore, it is important that our young girls have access to valid information, which addresses their concerns and ensures that they are well equipped with the right knowledge they need to understand the concept of menstruation, feel comfortable with it, make the right decisions and ultimately safeguard their reproductive health”, she said.
Also, the State Commissioner for Education, Mr Rahman Abduraheem, represented by the Deputy Director of Schools in the ministry, Mrs Felicia Oyerinde, charged the girls with some valuable tips on maintaining hygiene.
Changing your pad every four hours, cleaning your reusable pads properly, keeping your vaginal area clean and wearing comfortable clean underwear, among many more hygienic ways, which can be cultivated by you all to ensure your wellbeing, he said.
Also, the Secretary to the Association, Dr Olubukola Salam, enjoined the government and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to help look into ways to subsidise the price of menstrual pads for the girl-child.
According to Salam, it would help boost their morale and limit the number of girls who would be absent in school during their menstrual periods.
In her goodwill message, the MWAN National President, represented by Dr Kemi Otolorin, urged the government to subsidise sanitary pads and provide good toilets and water in public schools.
While presenting some items to Oluyole Chesire Home, Ibadan and FOMWAN Orphanage Home, Basorun Ibadan, Dr Adeyemi explained that the gesture was part of the social responsibilities of the Association to the society and promised that the Association would not relent in its efforts at assisting the less-previledges in the society.
The representatives of the two homes expressed gratitude to the Association for identifying with them and promised judicious utilization of donated items.
On violence against women, Dr Adeyemi pointed out that the Association is collaborating with other stakeholders to address the menace and encouraged Nigerians to join hands in order to eliminate violence against women and girls in the country.
The MWAN President said governments at all levels need to accommodate women so as to record developmental progress.
“This year’s campaign, Unite! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls is aimed at mobilising society to become activists for the prevention of violence against women, and to stand in solidarity with women’s rights”, she said.
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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Aya igbákejì Gómìnà ìpínlẹ̀ ọ̀yọ́, Bọlanle Ọlaniyan tún ti tẹnumọ ìdí tó fi sepàtàkì káwọn èèyàn máà lọ fáyẹ̀wò ọyàn wọn, kíwọ́n lè ba tètè tọ́jú èyíkèyí ohun tí wan bá kẹ́fín níbẹ̀, kó tó pẹ́jù.
Ọjọgbọn Ọlaniyan tó fìdí èyí múlẹ̀ níbi ètò ìpolongo kan, lọfisi aya Gómìnà ìpínlẹ̀ Ọ̀yọ́ pẹ̀lú àjọsepọ̀ ẹgbẹ́ tón rísí ọ̀rọ̀ jẹjẹrẹ ọyàn láwùjọ dìjọ gbékalẹ̀ niwọ́n pe àkórí rẹ̀ ní pẹ̀lú ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀ òpin yóò débá jẹjẹrẹ ọyàn.
Ó wá gbàwọn obìnrin níyànjú láti máà se rí jẹjẹrẹ ọyàn bi ẹ̀mi tó ti gba ọjọ́ ikú rẹ̀, pẹ̀lú àtọ́kasí béèyan bánlọ fún àyẹ̀wò ọyàn lórekóòre, yóò mádinkù bá a dẹbi to lapere.
Áàrẹ ẹgbẹ́ àwọn obìnrin tíwọ́n jẹ́ akọ́sẹ́ mọsẹ́, onímọ̀ ìsègùn òyìnbó, MWAN, Dókítà Lilian Otọlorin sàlàyé pé, àwọn ikọ̀ tón sàtìlẹyìn fún dídènà àisàn jẹjẹrẹ ti wa káàkiri orílẹ̀dè yíì, láti máà pèsè fami àwọn tàisan jẹjẹrẹ ọyàn ńbá fínra tófimọ́ àwọn ẹbi.
Ètò ìwọ́de ìtanijí náà lórí dídènà àisàn jẹjẹrẹ ọyàn tó wáyé lólúlesẹ́ ìjọba ìpínlẹ̀ Ọ̀yọ́, Secretariat láwọn òsìsẹ́ elétò ìlera péjúpésẹ̀ si.
