IWD: Save The Children Demands Protection For Girls, Women
- Raises awareness on gender violence
BY WILLIAM ATTAH, GOMBE – Save the Children International (SCI) in Nigeria says concerted efforts by all stakeholders are required to end the worrying violence perpetrated against girls and women in the country.
SCI’s Media and Communication Manager in Nigeria, Kunle Olawoyin, said protection against violence is imperative because the contributions of women and girls around the world remain relevant in many areas of life.
According to him, the world can no longer ignore the female gender who are exerting exemplary efforts in response to climate change, building resilient communities and a sustainable future for children, girls, men and women in the society.
In a release sent to newsmen on the 2022 International Women’s Day, Olawoyin applauded the theme of this year’s celebration: “Gender Equality Today For A Sustainable Tomorrow – #BreakTheBias”, describing it as apt given the milestone achievements being recorded by the womenfolk in many sectors globally.
In her intervention at the programme, Purity Oriaifo, Save the Children International Nigeria’s Girl Champion, condemned the growing incidents of violence against women and girls, saying; “In our communities today, girls continue to suffer from gender inequality.
” In conflict, displacement and disaster situations, girls are being abducted, raped, and forced into marriages. The issues with girls extend beyond child marriage, female genital mutilation, as it affects the girls’ entire life.
“Millions of girls are not privileged to enjoy their childhood but subjected to take responsibilities they are not prepared for. That is why women, girls and I will continue to advocate, raise awareness and fight for a gender equal Nigeria”.
This year’s event also focuses on climate change, considered as one of the huge threats to “sustainable tomorrow”.
The Stakeholders have identified it as a threat to the rights of children, girls, women and particularly those living with disabilities, noting that these groups are the first casualties and worst affected by the impact of climate change whether by climate-related natural disasters or the impact of climate change on food production, access to water, livelihoods and basic social services.
In her speech, Country Director, Save the Children International Nigeria, Mercy Gichuh said; “Protecting the environment is about preserving the planet earth for children, girls and women, to have a livable environment, “sustainable tomorrow” and a brighter future. It is about peace, survival, social and economic justice and sustainable development.”
She urged all responsible actors, including the government, private sectors, CSOs, FBOs, CBOs and communities to double and intensify efforts at achieving the global targets of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
She also called for integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; and improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning systems, which can save the lives of many children, girls and women who are the most affected by the climate crisis.
For her, families, communities, local, state and national governments must join hands in making the society free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination against girls and women, but respect and celebrate their potential and contributions in creating “sustainable tomorrow” for all.
The statement reaffirmed SCI’s resolve to sustain campaigns and advocacies on the rights of the most marginalized children in Nigeria to ensure no girl child is left behind or excluded from the opportunity to access quality, safe, free, uninterrupted and inclusive education, health, nutrition and other social services towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
