As the global community celebrates International Day of the Girl Child, the Civil Society Organizations have urged girl children to stand up against sexual harrassment, exploitation and abuse and report any potential threat to security personnel and civil rights groups
Speaking when members of Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) in partnership with Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the state visited Ubomiri Girls Sec School, the Imo State CSACEFA Coordinator, Elder Kenneth Amogu noted that the theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Our Time is now, Our Rights, Our Future’. He pointed out that the IDGC 2023 was being marked in the state in a collaboration between CSACEFA, 7 Other civil Society Organizations and IMSUBEB, adding that the events saw Advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders to advocate for increased budgetary allocation and funding for the education of the girl child, especially visit to the IMSUBEB Chairman, interactive Radio talk show programme in 4 radio stations in the state and School awareness visit to selected girls schools in imo state.
He said that this year’s theme charges girl children to stand up to their rights and take their future in their hands. He urged them to ensure that they are not sexually harrassed, exploited and abused, stressing that all the challenges confronting the girl child must be brought to the front burner for them to be addressed. He enjoined the girls to speak up against any abuse, exploitation harassment, etc
In her contributions, the Executive Director of Network for the Advancement of Vulnerable Persons, Joy Daberechi urged the girl students to continue to live responsibly so that they will become better women in the society, while calling on them to report any potential threat of sexual harrassment, exploitation and abuse to the nearest police station for prosecution. A Medical Doctor in the team, Dr Oparaocha DivineGift who represented Open Arms Initiative, took the girls through their reproductive health rights for healthy living.
In line with the collaboration with IMSUBEB and other CSOs to commemorate the IDGC 2023, various radio stations and discussants were observed, the group visited Oziza FM where Mrs. Joy Daberechi (NAVP) and Mrs Stella Egbukwu (Haifai) spoke on the theme of IDGC. The Civil Society Organizations also paid host to Toast FM, with Mrs Duru Blessing (AFA) and (Mrs Blessing Onyedum- Peace- Val ) highlighting the importance of the year’s celebration
The week was full of activities as the state owned radio station, Orient FM played host to CSACEFA State Coordinator and Programme Director Foundation for Livelihood Advancement, Elder Kenneth Amogu and Dr. Mrs. Chinwe Adim of IMSUBEB and Dr. Mrs. Carolyn Ezeokeke (SWS).
Mrs Duru Blessing (AFA) and Mrs. Elizabeth Onyemachi (Honourbirth Foundations) equally visited Darling FM Owerri.
Schools were not Ieft out of the commemorative event as Avu Community Secondary School, Young Scientist School, Ubomiri Girls Sec School saw the students being tutored on the need to live responsibly towards becoming better girl children in the society.
Highpoints of the school visitations was teaching the girls how to produce reusable sanitary pads, distribution of sanitary pads, handbooks on Puberhty, Growth and Change in Girlhs, exercise books and other writing materials, sanitary pads, among others, provided by all partnering NGOs.
