By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives on Thursday, asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and National Orientation Agency (NOA) alongside other stakeholders to collaborate with schools, community organisations, and religious institutions to educate the public on drug abuse dangers and promote a drug-free lifestyle and to make provision for rehabilitation.
The House also held a special session for the girl child with the Speaker stepping aside briefly for Miss Isabel Anani, a young girl to preside over plenary as a way of encouraging the girl child.
The House wants the Federal Ministry of Education to devise practical ways, such as implementing mobile education units or community outreach programs, to curb out-of-school girls across the 36 states of the federation.
While adopting a motion of urgent public importance to mark the 2024 international day of the girl child, the House asked the leadership of the National Assembly to see to the amendment of the Child’s Right Act to provide protection for sexually abused children and provide the necessary legislative support in terms of budgetary approvals to the concerned Ministries in this regard and also see to the domestication of the child right act throughout the nation through the conference of speakers.
It also asked the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure the swift passage of Bills that seek to protect women and the girls like the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB).
Ogbara said that International Day of the Girl Child is a day adopted by the United Nations to remind young girls of their uniqueness, strength and prowess is set aside to address issues such as early or child marriage, violence against girls, rape, child molestation, education deprivation, nutrition, legal rights and all other issues faced by girls and to support more opportunities for girls and increase awareness for gender inequality.
According to her, more than 1.1 billion girls are poised to take on the future, adding that everyday, girls are breaking boundaries and barriers; tackling issues posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities.
She stressed that the protection of the girl child is crucial for sustaining the continuity of mankind as they grow in to women and mothers who not only shape the future generation but the trajectory of nations.
She said further that gender discrimination is a global phenomenon that has engulfed many Nations of the world due to patriarchy and cultural stereotypes, while other nations have made giant strides in closing the gender gap, Nigeria is still grappling with these issues, starting from access to education, healthcare and access to basic amenities.
she said that despite Nigeria being a signatory to the Convention of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Conventions on Child’s Rights and many others, harmful practices like the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still being practised in some parts of the country which is a direct violation of human rights of women and girls.
She said recent analysis showed that girls are not only courageous in the face of crisis, but hopeful for the future.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) children growing into adolescents especially between the ages of 10 to 19 have limited knowledge about the natural processes of puberty, sexual health, pregnancy or reproduction.
