The Deputy chairman of Aba South Local Government , Hon Mrs Princess peace Nwobilo has called for increased investment on education as a bedrock of national development.
Mrs Nwobilo made her position known yesterday, on the occasion of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.
She said the International Day of the Girl Child presents yet another opportunity to reflect on policies and practices that put the girl child in safe spaces.
According to her, women and girls are the most vulnerable specie in the world today, and that urgent steps need to be taken by those in authority to ensure that practices capable of endangering them are nipped in the bud.
“Today i join the world to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child 2021, as we continue to raise awareness in the campaign against the abuse of the Girl Child and other forms of human trafficking and gender inequality.
“This day reminds us of the impact of women and girls in nation building. The strength, the challenges and opportunities available for the girl child are enormous and a safe space is all that is needed to maximize this capabilities.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted the world as we knew it, also rocked education systems across the globe. This saw a move to greater use of digital innovation and technology for improved learning, development, and for accelerating achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4.
“We must as a collective responsibility continually commit ourselves to the empowerment, safety and wellbeing of the Girl Child against any form of social or cultural vices and gender discrimination in our communities to create an enabling environment for the growth of the Girl Child to maximize her full potentials.”
She highlighted some of the degrading challenges faced by women and girls globally to include trafficking, rape and abuse, money marriage, lack of quality education, poverty; Mrs Princess peace called on the government to redouble efforts in playing its role of ensuring a conducive and inclusive environment for all.
“I use this opportunity to call on the government, policy makers, civil society organizations, to continue to play its role. I also call on the legislative arm to redouble its efforts in making laws that will protect the rights and privileges of the girl child.”
While commending the effort of the wife of the State Governor, Her Excellency Dr Nkechi Ikpeazu, the Deputy chairman also called on women and girls to continue to demonstrate their strength in all aspects of their lives, and not allow any challenge they face to deter them from becoming change agents in the society.
“To the girl child, i want you to know that you’re a reflection of what the world needs. You have everything to make the world a better place.
If you train a girl,you trained a nation and if you train a boy, you trained an individual.
The International Day of the Girl Child was set aside by the United Nations to promote girls’ rights, amplify voices of girls globally, and highlight gender inequalities all over the world. The day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
The theme for 2021 is “Digital Generation- Our Generation”.
