Civil Society Action Coalition On Education For All(CSACEFA) with support from EducationOutloud,Forum For Citizens Empowerment and Community Development,International Federation of Women Lawyers(FIDA) held a one day stakeholders workshop in PortHarcourt on Friday in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child with the theme:INVEST IN GIRL’S CHILD RIGHTS:OUR LEADERSHIP AND WELL BEING.
Speaking at the side line of the event with Journalists, state coordinator of CSACEFA, Stella Smith Ibekwe said
“International Day for the girl child 2023 commenced October 11th,2023.Today we are having a stakeholders meeting but the coalition actually had an event, girl’s hang out on the 11th of October at Community Secondary School Rumudomaya where we had interaction with the girls.We discussed with them,got their feed back which is also part of the meeting today.
“We educated them first of all,that girls are equal members of the society with every right to participate and be part of what is happening in the society .Today’s event is to call on Government and leaders to put policies to make the environment conducive which was also one of the outcomes,what the girls were saying on the 11th October.
“We make girls to be able to develop their full potentials,access to education,a safe place where they can handle their challenges,challenges that are unique to them as girls and also get inline with the global trend especially as it relate to ICT,artificial intelligence where the world is going to.
“We will document the interactions,the feedback starting from that 11th October.We are going to be using it as advocacy message to the Government and to leaders.
“Girl’s right are human right,the girl child when fully developed can contribucte to the development of the society .The girl can be a leader.She is not a second class member of society.
“We are doing all we can to make sure they attain their full potentials as members of society.Participate in leadership,involve them in things that are good to their well being,development socially,morally and academically so that they will be balanced to be able to play their role in the society”.
Okorite Yobo State Secretary of CSACEFA and representative of FIDA in an interview with Journalists said
“It is our life long calling. Is not just about the day, for FIDA that is why we exist,to protect women and children.However this time around we are partnering with CSACEFA ,so we as FIDA,we are secretary of the board .With support from EducationOutloud,they funded us through our parent body,the National CSACEFA.
“Today, we based our discussions on feedback from the girls we had interaction with on 11th October, We had a conversation around their rights .What can we do as social development workers.Practical steps .What can each of us do .Even as FIDA one of our focus is on rights of women.Is very broad,we are protecting emotional rights,educational rights,rights to life,personal rights.
“We need partners to do their own part,because it involves everybody.
Like the theme says, invest in the girl’s right.They come from a family,they go to school .In Africa,we say the village raises a child.So that is what we are trying to achieve .
“At the round table we discussed what we are going to do and have an action plan at the end of the day and follow it through.
“Government need to provide facilities. For instance if a girl or woman is abused and you are saying she should leave her home,where will she leave to. In Rivers State, fortunately we have Government facility but we need more of such facilities, up and running, in different LGAs that is accessible and have clean bed,good food etc.
“Government can also have empowerment scheme.Most girls are thrown out of school,early marriages,child labour is because of economic situation of their mother primarily.
“So if women are empowered ecomically is easily to train their dauthers,guide and provide for them because some of our girls are going through this due to hunger”.
The highpoint of the event was reading of agreed action points by stakeholders .
Some of the action points agreed on include
Enlightment and sensitization of family,religious leaders.Parents focused sensitization on how to handle Gender Based Violence. Establishment of school based club. Focus on in and out of school children,complianant case management support and protection of complianant.Our correspondent reports that Rivers State Director of National Orientation Agency(NOA),Ayo Tamuno,Secretary of FIDA Rivers State,Journalists,other Non Governmental Organizations were in attendance.