Stakeholders have called for more concerted effort at educating the girl-child. They made the call during a panel organised by SHE Forum Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation focused on clamouring for gender equity among many things.
This year’s conference took place in Abuja yesterday, the fourth edition and with the theme- Evolve or Be Left Behind. Several notable dignitaries from across Africa were present at the event, including Mrs Fati Balla-Abubakar (a former Ambassador) who stressed that the need to educate the girl child cannot be over-emphasised; especially in light of our current state of development.
Mrs Abubakar also emphasised a well known fact, which is that the lack of education increases poverty and ignorance, while education makes it possible for people to utilise their potentials and the boundless opportunities that they will have in life. In other words, the confidence that comes from having sound education could help girls to aim higher and evolve at every level.
Other notable women also spoke at the conference, including Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi, a Gender and human Rights Consultant. She said that “young girls of today are not the future of Nigeria but they are the Now of Nigeria.’’ She therefore stressed on the need for everyone to stop using culture, religion, law or policies to explain the unequal treatment of women and men, boys and girls.
