Government at all levels and stakeholders have been urged to intensify efforts toward eliminating the barriers that hinder girls’ access to education.
Director, The Inclusion Project (TIP) Pamela Okoroigwe gave the call during a forum organised by the Impact General Radio in Imo State in partnerships with Express Radio in Kano, and Top Radio in Lagos to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child which came under the theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future”.
Okoroigwe also stressed the need for the society to reject all forms of societal obstacles that threaten the future of the girl child.
According to her, for girls to thrive and shape their future, access to quality education must be guaranteed and free from all forms of human rights abuses.
She regretted that many girls across Nigeria continue to face numerous barriers, adding ,” some of these girls are limited by harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, lack of resources, early marriage, child trafficking, and other factors that restrict their opportunities.
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“At TIP, we believe that girls have the power to shape their future and that, given the opportunity, they will lead the way in transforming societies. Our commitment to supporting girls goes beyond
promoting access to quality education; it involves equipping them with the skills, resources, and
confidence to detect, defend themselves, and challenge injustice and discrimination.
“As we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, we are reminded of the many girls across the
country who have benefited from TIP’s work. From raising awareness of girls’ rights to providing practical resources and mentorship, we have empowered girls to dream beyond societal limitations and encouraged them to pursue careers in various sectors.’’
At the forum, the participants highlighted some barriers that hinder their full development and access to quality basic education through their lens.
They also discussed their
aspirations and goals for the future and challenged the government on the need to support girls to achieve their full potential.
This experience afforded the girls a unique opportunity to amplify their voices, improve their confidence, and know that their voices matter. It also offered a platform for
girls to share their visions for a better tomorrow while sending a message of hope to other girls across Nigeria.
