Girl Guides Solicits More Commitment to Girls’ Welfare
Uchechukwu Nnaike
The Nigeria Girl Guides Association (NGGA) has called on the federal government to enact a law binding all state governments on the care of the girl-child, as well as equal education opportunity to enhance their sense of belonging.
It stressed the need for policy makers across the states to intensify efforts in giving girls the much deserved opportunity to fully realise their potential, especially through education.
The association’s Chief Commissioner, Mrs. Maria-Goretti Sule made the call in an interview at a three-day programme in Lagos with the theme ‘Action on Body Confidence’. The programme was a partnership between the World Association of Girl Guides Girl Scout (WAGGGS) and Dove, a cosmetic outfit.
Sule regretted that governors are not doing enough in the area of paying special attention to the education of the girl-child, adding that the development is giving the association a major concern. “We are not too happy with the way the policy makers are handling the education and protection of the girl-child in this country.
“We have discovered that some governors are really not helping matters when it comes to the girl-child education, empowerment and protection by imposing stringent measures on such issues, thereby making it unattractive.
“Most of these policy makers at the state level are educated and very well know the immense benefits that come with educating a child, whether male or female as individuals, states or nation at large. Of course, do not forget that when you educate a girl-child, you educate the nation as they are the first teacher of the family.”
Sule said equal opportunity must be given to the girl-child as it is obtained in other climes, adding that lack of education for the girl-child or little of it always exposes them to violence and low self-esteem.
She said the programme was organised to create a re-orientation among the girls and assist them in re-discovering themselves and allow them to express their views freely.
In her remarks, the Project Manager, Mrs. Lilian Damiet said the programme, which was for people from ages seven to 25, was essentially to empower young people through body confidence education that would enable them to reach their full potential and lead a movement towards a world free of appearance-related anxiety.
“The association is training 60 young and adult leaders across the federation to understand issues of low esteem and body confidence especially among young girls and even boys.
“These persons who are also peer educators and leaders will return to their respective states to impact on both the young boys and the girls in their communities, using the modules of the ‘Action of Body confidence’ that has been developed for persons between ages seven to 25.
“The programme will support these young persons to plan their own advocacy projects by identifying the biggest body confidence issues in their community and plan a project that will then task decision makers for a change.
“We want our girls to be assertive, be confident and look beyond their appearance when taking certain life’s decisions or when faced with certain life’s challenges.
“They should be able to see themselves not as second class citizens to anybody, as well as not allow themselves to be used or abused and not hold back from taking up leadership position.”
Damiet said the girl-child if encouraged and empowered through the right kind of education and other life changing programmes, would completely tackle the issue of image myth and be able to stand tall, appreciate who they are and contribute their quota to national development.
She appealed to the federal government to intensify efforts in ensuring the release of one of the Dapchi school girls still in captivity since February. According to her, the association is lending its voice to that of well-meaning individuals across the world for the release of the girl that is still being held because she refused to renounce her faith.