News

Lawmakers call for compulsory free education for girls in Nigeria 

By Jonathan Lois 

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Education to drastically reduce/eradicate the number of out of school girls by ensuring free and compulsory education for the Girl child across the country.

The House also urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) National Orientation Agency 

(NOA) and other Stakeholders to initiate ways of educating and sensitizing adolescent girls on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. 

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by a member from Lagos State Mrs Kafilat Ogbara, in commemoration of the 2023 International day for the girl child, at plenary. 

The Lawmaker stated that in most countries, patriarchy and power dynamics affords boys comparative 

advantages compared to girls in most domain, 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 marginalized communities. 

Mrs Ogbara expressed concern about the high number of out-of-school girls that 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 Girls 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 urge 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 Affairs to engage with all relevant Ministries, Departments 

and agencies to ensure compliance.

ReplyReply allForward

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

This News Site uses cookies to improve reading experience. We assume this is OK but if not, please do opt-out. Accept Read More