On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Grassroots Centre for Rights & Civic Orientation has issued a pressing call to action, shedding light on the dire need for enhanced access to education and secure learning environments for girls in Nigeria.
This year’s theme, “Girls’ Vision For the Future,” serves as a backdrop for the centre’s statement, released on Saturday, which starkly illustrates the daunting challenges confronting young girls in the country.
Jamila Abdulrahman, Programs, Gender, Equity & Social Inclusion Manager at the Grassroots Centre, underscored the gravity of the situation, citing UNICEF data indicating that over 10 million children aged 5-14 are out of school in Nigeria.
This alarming statistic is compounded by the fact that Nigeria accounts for 15% of out-of-school children worldwide, with 7.6 million girls – predominantly from northern regions – being denied educational opportunities.
Only a mere 9% of the poorest girls have the chance to attend secondary school, a stark reality that Abdulrahman described as “not just a statistic, but a wake-up call.”
The Grassroots Centre’s statement highlights the multifaceted challenges girls face in Nigeria, encompassing risks to their health, education, and overall well-being.
Despite acknowledging the resilience of many girls who have overcome obstacles to access education and social mobility, the organization emphasizes that the broader picture remains deeply concerning.
To address these issues, the Grassroots Centre advocates for a comprehensive approach involving all levels of government, development partners, and civil society.
Abdulrahman stressed the importance of collective responsibility, stating, “It is a collective responsibility to ensure that the girl child is equipped with the right knowledge and skills needed for their social, emotional, and physical well-being.”
The centre urges federal, state, and local governments to work in synergy with development partners and civil society to activate all available mechanisms to provide access to education for girls.
Furthermore, the centre emphasizes the need for the enactment and implementation of policies that create safe spaces and inclusive learning environments for girls.
Creating safe spaces is integral to girls’ education, providing an emotionally and physically safe environment for girls and women to come together, learn skills, develop social networks, and empower each other.
This is particularly crucial for girls in conflict-affected areas, who require psycho-social support to heal from traumas they may have experienced.
The Grassroots Centre also appeals to development partners to aid vulnerable girls through robust programs that complement government efforts at all levels.
Additionally, the centre encourages media outlets to spotlight issues affecting and constraining girls’ access to education, raising awareness and mobilizing action to address the education crisis.
As the world observes the International Day of the Girl Child, the Grassroots Centre’s message serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing challenges faced by girls in Nigeria and the urgent need for collective action to address the education crisis and ensure a brighter future for Nigeria’s girls.
