A Non-Governmental Organisation, Media Concern Initiative, on Thursday called for collaborative efforts in tackling sexual violence against the girl-child.
The group made this call during its campaign to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child with the theme, ‘Innovating for Girls’ Education’, holding on Friday.
It stated that sexual violence was one of the challenges confronting the girl-child’s physical, psycho-social and emotional health.
According to the group’s Executive Director, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, despite the prevalence of the abuse, response against it was still low.
She said, “To be truly innovative for the girl child’s education, the problem of sexual violence has to be addressed and faced headlong. We can no longer evade, be silent or pretend that such things are not happening among us. Recently, Nigerian media published many unbelievable stories of sexual violence against the girl child.”
Olufemi-Kayode called on families to speak and take a stand against this phenomenon, which, she said, violates millions of girls’ rights, disrupts their education, jeopardises their health and limits their opportunities.
She added that any nation that ignored the social welfare and infrastructure that made living and growth for its girl-child ultimately, would seek to deny itself of innovative development.
‘‘The female gender’s contribution to development cannot be quantified. We will use the opportunity of the International Day of the Girl Child to raise public awareness of the different types of discrimination, violence, abuse and violations of the human rights of the girl child all over the world, especially Nigeria,” she said.
Gbenga Adeniyi
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