By: AbdulHafeez Oyewole
In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Kwara State government has reiterated the need for education and awareness as critical tools in tackling the exploitation and marginalization of girls.
The event, organized by Chidimma and Havilah Foundation in collaboration with Seed of Praise Centre for Youth, Women, and Children Development Initiative, brought together government officials, civil society groups, and educators at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) press centre in Ilorin.
Discussions centered on the challenges girls face in Nigeria and the importance of concerted efforts to overcome these barriers.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Olanrewaju Bake, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, highlighted the systemic issues confronting girls, particularly in education.
Represented by Mrs. Victoria Funmilayo, a Director in the ministry, Bake listed major challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, gender discrimination, religious and societal limitations, and sexual violence.
She emphasized that these obstacles hinder the development of girls, both in Nigeria and globally.
"Poverty is one of the most significant barriers confronting girls. It often forces families to keep their daughters at home for domestic chores or hawking, rather than sending them to school," Mrs. Bake explained.
She also noted that gender norms in Nigeria tend to prioritize boys' education over girls', a practice deeply rooted in cultural and societal expectations.
“Cultural practices pose significant risks to the girl child, particularly in rural areas, where early marriages and exploitation are common,” she added.
Mrs. Bake stressed that addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including empowering girls through education, economic support, and psychological tools to help them navigate the many barriers they face.
She called for an increase in public awareness campaigns that highlight the rights and potential of girls, while also advocating for better legal frameworks to protect them from abuse and exploitation.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs. Saadat Modibbo Kawu, also addressed the gathering, encouraging girls to pursue education and make meaningful contributions to society.
She called on stakeholders in the education sector to imagine a future where girls are valued, educated, and given leadership opportunities.
Mrs. Blessing Aina, from the Federal Information Centre, Ilorin, added her voice, stressing the importance of empowering girls to break free from cycles of poverty and exploitation.
A key theme of the conference was the role of the media in advocating for girls' education.
Mallam Mahmood Olayinka Alaya, Secretary of the Kwara State Council of the NUJ, delivered a keynote address urging the media to take a more active role in exposing the challenges facing girls, such as inadequate infrastructure, safety concerns, and financial barriers to education.
He criticized the exploitation of girls as house-helps and for prostitution, calling for media-led advocacy through interviews with decision-makers and community leaders to promote reforms and investments in girls’ education.
“The media can play a crucial role in promoting adolescent girls’ formal education by influencing public opinion and advocating for policy changes.
With increased visibility, we can drive progress to ensure every girl, regardless of background, has the opportunity to learn and contribute meaningfully to society,” Alaya said.
The conference also featured a virtual address from Mr. Tiwatope Olumide, National Technical Lead of the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation, who praised the initiative for organizing Kwara’s first-ever adolescent girls’ conference.
He stressed that education remains the most powerful tool to break social norms and gender barriers, including poverty.
Mr. Olumide commended the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, for her commitment to supporting girls’ education, noting that investments in girls have a ripple effect on reducing poverty, early marriages, and gender-based violence.
Olumide called for concerted efforts from all sectors of society to improve the lives of girls in Kwara State.
“When we invest in girls, we invest in the future. It is imperative that we provide them with the tools they need to succeed, not just for their own benefit, but for the betterment of society as a whole,” he said.
The event concluded with a call to action for policy makers, educators, and community leaders to work together to create an environment where girls can thrive.
It was a powerful reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much to be done to achieve true gender equality, especially in the area of education.
As the world commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child, Kwara State has once again placed the spotlight on the importance of education, empowerment, and protection for its girls, pledging to continue efforts to overcome the societal and cultural barriers they face.
The conference ended with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to ensure that girls are given the opportunities and resources they need to realize their full potential and contribute to national development.