Pauline Tallen, the minister for women’s affairs, condemned the growing number of rape and other acts of violence committed against young girls by their fathers and other members of society on Tuesday.
In recognition of the International Day of the Girl-Child (IDGC) in 2022, Tallen made this statement at the State of the Nigerian Girls Summit (SONGS) in Abuja.
Every year on October 11, the IDGC is observed to honour the value, strength, and potential of teenage girls everywhere, as designated by the UN.
She claims that the ministry receives reports of rape and other forms of violence against girls and children, particularly girl children, on a daily basis.
”Some of these girls are dying in silence and we must do everything possible to identify and address some of these problems by getting closer to them.
“We receive in the ministry on a daily basis and I am sure commissioners can testify at the state level, cases where fathers rape their daughters.
“It is very sad, it is an abomination. It is unacceptable. But in case it happens, please girls speak out more,” she said.
She urged victims of any sort of violence to always speak up so that justice would be done and the offenders would be brought to justice.
The Minister emphasized the need for boys and men to defend and support the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) while noting some of the obstacles facing girls.
She said that the government has launched a campaign to encourage students to enrol in and continue their education at least through senior secondary level.
The Child Rights Act, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, and a presidential campaign to abolish child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) were just a few of the laws that the ministry had created and adopted, Tallen continued.
Additionally, Senate President Ahmad Lawan emphasized the necessity for all parties involved to address any problems impeding equation advances, particularly for girl children.
Betty Apiafi, chair of the Senate committee on women’s affairs, acted as Lawan’s representative.
“As citizens, we have to come to a stage where all issues preventing equation developments have to be addressed through concerted effort from all stakeholders,” Lawan said.
Additionally, Ms. Regine Priso, Education Program Specialist, UNESCO, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to helping the Nigerian government increase access to high-quality education, particularly for girls.
“We provide daily support to the Ministry of Education, to see how they can develop, adopt established education plans that are really involved.
“That ensures education for everybody, according to the commitment that Nigeria took on these special SDG global theme,” she said.
Miss Aishatu Muazu, a student at GSS in Tudun Wada, Wuse, spoke on behalf of Nigerian children and urged group action to solve issues affecting girl children, including as child marriage, out-of-school youth, inadequate educational standards, and SGBV, among others.
The wives of the governors of Katsina, Ogun, Lagos, and Zamfara States were reportedly there.
The goal of the 2022 theme, “Our Rights, Our Future,” is to inform and inspire girls to achieve by encouraging them to take charge of their health, advance girls’ rights, and raise awareness of the difficulties they encounter.
Another notable aspect of the event was the free sanitary pads, writing supplies, school bags, and dancing performances by students from various government and private schools throughout the FCT and its surroundings.
