Girl-Child Day: “It Is Time For Us And Collaborate To Protect The Rights And Future Of The Girl Child” — Fmr. NBA 2nd VP Foluke Dada

The Founder, Tikvah Initiative For Women & Children, Foluke Dada has called for collaboration amongst stakeholders to achieve the protection of the rights and the future of the girl-child in Nigeria.
She made this call in a message to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child made available to TheNigeriaLawyer.
According to Mrs. Dada, who is an Associate Professor, the girl child in Nigeria has been made to battle through a lot of setbacks and challenges in Nigeria ranging from Covid-19, to banditry and general insecurity in the country.
While appraising efforts made by governments at all levels to create opportunities for girls, she said the setbacks faced by the girl-child brings to forefront the need to brace up protection for girls.
She said, “On December 9, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution 66/170 aimed at establishing a day to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges faced by girls around the world. Hence. October 11 was declared as the International Day of the Girl Child.
This year, the celebration is themed, ‘Our time is now – our rights, our future.’ Governments around the world and policy makers have invested in creating opportunities for girls to have their voices heard and their rights protected across the world. Despite these efforts, girls continue to face challenges in fulfilling their potential particularly in the face of Covid-19, banditry and the appalling insecurity in our country, Nigeria. Many setbacks have been recorded bringing to the fore the exigent need for the rights of girls to be at the forefront of protection.”
She praised the Nigerian girl-child for their resilience and resourcefulness despite environmental and national barriers and encouraged stakeholders to build on the strengths of the girls for greater achievements.
“Through these ordeals, girls have been resilient, creative and resourceful with many girls overachieving in academics and other fields of endeavor.
Let us build on these strengths and support the girl-child in achieving more whilst at the same time working to provide a protective environment for the girls. No contribution is small – advocacy, emotional support, engaging female influencers, male champions, government officials, volunteers will go a long way to raise awareness and address issues that may hold girls back from achieving the lofty goals set.”
Mrs Foluke Dada concluded by calling on everyone to work together to protect the rights and future of the girl-child.
“I call on everyone to work collaboratively to achieve the set goals NOW – to protect the rights and the future of the girl-child.
The post Girl-Child Day: “It Is Time For Us And Collaborate To Protect The Rights And Future Of The Girl Child” — Fmr. NBA 2nd VP Foluke Dada appeared first on Barristers.NG.