Girl Child Day: Ekiti FIDA Harps on education, protection of girl child

Ekiti State International Federal of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) has celebrated the international day for girl child with a call to stakeholders to raise more awareness on issues facing the girl child, ranging from education, nutrition, security, child marriage, legal and medical rights, as well as harmful customary, as a way to ensure better life for girl child.

The FIDA chairperson in the State, Mrs Adefunke Anoma in a statement made in Ado Ekiti titled: ‘The Power of Adolescence, Vision 20, 20, statement, as part of activities making the year 2017, international day of Girl child in the state, expressing the need for more awareness on the issues affecting girl child.

Speficically, Ekiti FIDA which expressed concern on matters affecting female child and women, pointed out that concerted efforts of individuals, stakeholders and parents would address the issues which it said required attention.

She spoke: “As Every 11th October marks the International Day of the Girl Child. The theme for this year which is ‘The Power of Adolescence, Vision 2030,’ which is an idea, setting the tone for a higher call on all stakeholders to raise awareness on issues facing the girl child. Education, nutrition, security, child marriage, legal and medical rights, harmful customary”

Mrs Anoma who expressed worries about the deaths of adolescent girls resulting from gender based violence which is the trend in recent times, psychological trauma, sexual and physical abuse, child marriage, exploitation and trafficking, among others, noted that these have become the norm which “we must all rise against”

While lamenting that so many girls are out of school, leading to a sure compromise of their future to financial and economic independence as adults, the FIDA boss noted that it was high time the the girl child is freed the abuse.

Her words: “Let us all therefore empower the girl beside us, raise our voices to fight for their rights and protection. This is our collective responsibility to build a peaceful and secured society” she declared, adding that “by changing the present, we are preparing for the future….2030 is just around the corner..”

Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti