The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Education to drastically eradicate the number of out-of-school girls by ensuring free and compulsory education for the girl child across the country.
This was a sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by a member from Lagos State Hon Kafilat Ogbara, in commemoration of the 2023 International Day for the Girl Child, at plenary.
The House also urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) National Orientation Agency
(NOA) and other Stakeholders to initiate ways of educating and sensitising adolescent girls on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
The Lawmaker stated that in most countries, patriarchy and power dynamics afford boys comparative
advantages compared to girls in most domains, saying the last survey from UNICEF revealed that 18.5 million
children are out of school, out of which 60% are girls.
She argued that adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, adding that investing in girls’
leadership includes creating space and platforms for girls to raise their voices at every level of policy
making.
“The International Day of the Girl Child acknowledges the importance, power and potential of adolescent girls around the world by spotlighting other issues such as poor learning opportunities,
discrimination, tackling issues posed by stereotypes and exclusion of children with disabilities and those living in marginalised communities”, the motion said.
Hon Ogbara expressed concern about the high number of out-of-school girls who engage in drugs and other vices, throughout history saying girls have been systematically held back and undervalued in society.
She observed that investment in critical steps such as the Girl’s Rights under the Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC) will help to fast-track the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the
United Nations.
The Lawmaker added that the current trend in Nigeria reveals that young girls who are sexually abused by their parents/guardians, return back to the same house where they were abused after police intervention.
Adopting the motion, the House also urged the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are saddled with the responsibility of training and empowerment to ensure compulsory vocational skills acquisition
training for girls to keep them engaged and productive enough to keep them away from drugs.
It also mandated the Committee on Women’s Affairs to engage with all relevant Ministries, Departments and agencies to ensure compliance.
Dominica Nwabufo
