NationalUpdate Woman
NAWOJ Seeks More investment in the Girlchild Education
*** Says, there are over six million out of school girls in Nigeria:
From Abel Daniel, Lafia
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in marking the 2022 International Day of the Girl (IDG) today, the Nigerian Association of Women Journalist, NAWOJ has called on governments to invest more in the girl child education.
The association appealed to the governments to increase awareness for gender inequality faced by girls around the world.
NAWOJ spoke through a press statement issued by Comrade Helen Udofa, National Secretary in celebration of 2022 International Day of the Girl.
“This year’s celebration is unique in the sense that it marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl (IDG)
“There is therefore no doubt that in the last 10 years, the attention on issues that matter to girls have increased among governments, policymakers and the public generally, in addition to more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard at the global stage.
“However, investments in girls’ rights remain limited as they continue to confront challenges of fulfilling their potentials.
“These are further worsened by concurrent crises of climate change, COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian issues and insecurity.
“While girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges in their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence have become desirous.
“This year’s theme: ‘Our time is now – Our rights, Our future,’ underscores the fact that the world’s 600 million adolescent girls have shown time and time again that given the skills and the opportunities, they can become the change agents needed to drive progress in their communities, building stronger walls for all, including women, boys and men.
The association noted that in Nigeria, girls continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence.
NAWOJ, therefore, called on stakeholders, parents, and government not to relent in giving adequate attention to girls’ education, as well as ensuring a secured and conducive environment for their learning.
“With over six million out of School girls in Nigeria, according to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), NAWOJ is calling on all Stakeholders to come together and forge a way forward in giving voice to girls’ and find solutions to issues affecting the girl child in Nigeria.
“On this occasion of the International Day of the Girl, we push for our girls to be given the opportunity to lead by putting them in the forefront of change efforts.
“Hear their voices; respond to their questions; and welcome them in decision-making spaces. These are ways of investing in a future that believes in girls.
The Jigawa state Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has urged the state government to domesticate the federal law extending maternity leave from three to six months.
Chairman of the group Comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafingana made the appeal at a policy dialogue on paid maternity leave extension.
He cited the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) recommendations.
“Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is crucial for a child’s health,” Kafingana emphasized.
The extended leave according to him is aimed at Supporting work-life balance and job security for nursing mothers adsibg that it will allow mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
Explaining further he said it will provide adequate time for physical and emotional recovery after childbirth
The group’s advocacy is seeking to prioritize the health and well-being of nursing mothers and their children in Jigawa State.
By Friday Idachaba
VOWE Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to advancing the education and empowerment of women and girls in Nigeria has unveiled 20 winners of the 2nd edition of the Sophie Uzodimma Onovo Women Undergraduate Scholarship.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the Foundation revealed that the 20 exceptional female final-year students who scaled the hurdle to clinch the award are to enjoy provision of full tuition and other educational expenses for their final year of study.
The statement said that the awardees were selected from educational tertiary institutions in Enugu and Imo states.
It said that the 2024 prestigious scholarship award marked a significant step in the Foundation’s resolve to foster educational opportunities and empower the next generation of women leaders.
The scholarship, which is being generously funded by the founder of VOWE Foundation, Mrs Sophie Uzodimma Onovo, is designed to support female students education in tertiary institutions.
The award is to alleviate financial barriers confronting the students and empower them to pursue their academic goals through provision of full tuition and other educational expenses for the final year of study.
Speaking on the importance of the scholarship, Mrs Sophie Uzodimma Onovo stated, “Education is the cornerstone of personal and societal growth” adding that it also enables the recipients to focus on their studies without financial worries.
“It marks a significant step in our commitment to fostering educational opportunities and empowering the next generation of women leaders.
“By investing in the education of these young women, we are not only helping them achieve their dreams but also contributing to the future of our communities”, she said.
Onovo who is also founder of the VOWE Foundation said the non-profit making body is committed to supporting women, “especially those in underserved communities, to reach their full
potential.”
She said that the selection process for this year’s scholarship was highly competitive, with numerous applications from talented and dedicated female students.
Mrs Onovo held that the 20 chosen beneficiaries demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership potentials, and a strong commitment to community service.
Among the 20 awardees, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has 7; Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), 4; Imo State University (IMSU), 3 and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), 2.
Others are Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT), 1; Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, 2 and Federal Polytechnic Owerri, 1. (Ends)
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