Lawmakers Insist On Free Compulsory Education For Girls

By Oduyemi Odumade

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Education to drastically reduce the number of out of school girls by ensuring free and compulsory education for the Girl child across the country.

The House also urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA National Orientation Agency
NOA, and other Stakeholders to initiate ways of educating and sensitizing adolescent girls on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by a member from Lagos State Mrs Kafilat Ogbara, in commemoration of the 2023 International day for the girl child at plenary.

The Lawmaker stated that in most countries, patriarchy and power dynamics affords boys comparative advantages compared to girls in most domains saying the last survey from UNICEF revealed that 18.5 million children are out of school, out of which 60% are girls.

She argued that adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated and healthy life, adding that investing in girls’
leadership includes creating space and platforms for girls to raise their voices at every level of policy making.

“The International Day of the Girl Child acknowledges the importance, power and potential of adolescent girls around the world by spotlighting other issues such as poor learning opportunities,
discrimination, tackling issues posed by stereotypes and exclusion of children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities.

Mrs Ogbara expressed concern about the high number of out-of-school girls that engage in drugs and other vices, throughout history saying girls have been systematically held back and undervalued in society.

She observed that investment in critical steps such as the Girls Rights under the Convention of the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC) will help to fast track the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the
United Nations.

The Lawmaker added that the current trend in Nigeria reveals that young girls who are sexually abused by their parents/guardians, return back to the same house where they were abused after police intervention.

Adopting the motion, the House also urged the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are saddled with the responsibility of training and empowerment to ensure compulsory vocational skills acquisition training for girls to keep them engaged and productive enough to keep them away from drugs.

It also mandated the Committee on Women Affairs to engage with all relevant Ministries, Departments
and Agencies to ensure compliance.

Edited By Grace Namiji