Girl-child protection: Foundation seeks collaboration with stakeholders

A non-profit organization, Virginspride Foundation is canvassing critical stakeholders to join in the process of safeguarding the morality of teenagers in order for them to be useful for the society.

It also challenged young girls to keep their emotions guided to invariably prevent mental imbalance.

Hundreds of young teenagers clad in white outfit thronged the venue in Lagos where they were being celebrated for their efforts towards protecting their morality.

Speaking at the occasion, the Convener of the program, Mrs Nkechi Odebiyi said the annual program tagged: ‘Celebration of Purity’ is designed to create a generation who understand the value of purity and remain committed to it.

“The simple message we are passing across to the girls is that there is no sex until you know what you want to do with your life. When a girl is having sexual relationship with a boy, she is submitting her emotions to him and to get the better understanding, girls must be focused and not to be distracted”, she said

She expressed her satisfaction with the initiative which according to her has impacted positively to educate vulnerable children about indiscriminate sexual relation and advocate against gender-based and domestic violence.

Mental health
A guest speaker at the occasion, Prof Merino Akindotun pointed out that there is a nexus between being denied emotions and mental health of individuals, particularly as it affects girl child.

She emphasised the need for teenagers to ensure they avoid trouble while charging them to always retreat, rethink and respond to situations.

According to Akindotun “There is a mental component of health to the issue of being pure. Purity goes beyond abstinence from sexual relationship; it involves purity of minds, emotions and self.

She charged them to always open up platform of knowledge and ensure they remain inquisitive to learn and be definite in the learning process.

Resoluteness
The Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Folashade Olabanji-Oba appreciated the convener of the program as she encouraged the participants to be resolute in their decisions.

According to her, “this program is a kind of encouragement to the teenagers that the temptations will be the there, that they should stand tall because there is a brighter future ahead for them. And to let them know that their commitment is not only to themselves but also to God and just ensure that they remain committed to the vow they made to remain purified.”

She also charged the parents to take responsibility by ensuring adequate care of their wards with utmost support that can improve their self esteem.

Some of the participants who were elated to be invited for the thought-provoking and eye-opening event commended the initiative which they believed would redirect their minds towards being responsible in the society.

Nneka Ukachukwu