Nigerian girls still suffer different forms of child rights abuses, ranging from forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and limited education, among others, findings from the State of the Union Summit have shown. Nigerian Girls (SONGS).
The group's Steering Committee's preliminary report on the 2024 state camps held across the country highlights key findings and recommendations from extensive data collection and consultation.
Organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with various development partners, SONGS brings together government officials, international organizations, civil society organizations and adolescent girls to raise awareness on the challenges of Nigerian girls.
Key challenges
Nigerian girls face stigmatization, poverty and lack of justice when they report gender-based violence, the report says.
Furthermore, when they try to contribute to decision-making, they encounter negative responses, he added.
“When girls try to speak up and contribute to decision-making, they often face negative, humiliating and even abusive responses from older members of the community,” the report says.
The report shows that issues such as forced or early marriage, female genital mutilation, rape, sexual abuse and harassment, child labour, human trafficking, sexual abuse, denial of access to education, discrimination gender, the denial of equal opportunities and the denial of sports participation, seriously affect their well-being and potential.
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“Limited education contributes to the underdevelopment of communities as it exposes disadvantaged girls to social vices and deprives them of the right to participate in decision-making,” reads part of the report.
“Disadvantaged girls often have little or no access to quality healthcare, leading them to rely on traditional medicines and poor sanitation facilities.”
Committee co-chair speaks
Tunde Aremu, co-chair of the committee, said that based on the conclusions of the findings, it is important to create platforms where young people can interact freely and ensure the enactment of laws that drive inclusive and gender-responsive decision-making and access to free education. and quality education at all levels.
Aremu said organizers are committed to working with decision-makers and policymakers to ensure that the “unique needs” and aspirations of Nigerian girls are effectively addressed.
State of emergency
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has urged the government to declare a state of emergency on the protection and welfare of girls to address the educational, health and safety needs of girls across the country.
According to Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingible, who introduced the motion, “child marriage remains prevalent throughout Nigeria, with northern areas showing alarming statistics.”
He said that according to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), more than 44 per cent of girls are married before the age of 18, with high percentages in states such as Zamfara, Bauchi and Sokoto.
“Child marriage deprived girls of their right to education, health and a safe childhood, trapping them in cycles of poverty and oppression. It is noted that each of the six geopolitical zones has distinct but equally pressing challenges faced by girls,” he said.
The senator prayed the Senate to encourage the federal government to domesticate and enforce the Child Rights Act and the Prohibition of Violence Against Persons Act, focusing on eradicating harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation. , while ensuring the protection and protection of girls. empowerment.