According to the state of the girls report as reported by Girl Effect, Among populations living in poverty, including Nigeria, girls face a range of additional challenges and barriers to their development, simply because they are girls. As girls enter adolescence, they encounter more pronounced gender roles and gender discrimination, which can severely limit their access to assets (even in non-poor households with adequate assets). Patriarchal norms often mean that women and girls have less decision-making power, limited mobility, increased domestic work burdens, less control over assets and income, and less access to nutrition Approximately 1 in 10 people (11%)
Inspites of the growing disturbing statistics of the out of school girls,and the rate of abduction of school girls in Nigeria One thing that we must never ignore is the inherent ability of girls to be the solution to our problems Expecially Countering Violent Extremism that tempers with our peace as we all know without there can be no development. Women and girls are being recruited as suicide bombers and in conflict situations they become twice vulnerable, However, the narrative can change women and girls can switch roles from being recruiters and victims to agents of peace, as well as Countering Violent Extremism Practitioners
If There are over 15 million girls in Nigeria, this only means over 15 million talent and resources that can bring solutions, however, they must not only have basic education but have good knowledge of the use of ICT to life in the present day realities they should be empowered. Ban Ki-moon publicly voiced his support for the Girl Declaration which I strongly agree
” To achieve meaningful results, we need fresh solutions to girls’ education challenges and we must heed the voices of young people.”
They must live in the now, bridging the digital divide, we cannot afford to waste the resources inherent in our girls. Girls should have access to information not just information, but verifiable information. we have to develop and use apps that censors information. Girls must have the whole story to bring us solutions, she has the right to know and to be part of people who will stop disinformation, hatespeech, propagandas e. t.c and like Nathan Faucett puts it and again I agree
” Part of this is on the people. We need to actively seek out information in its entirety. If the people aren’t willing to hear the complete story then over half the battle is lost. Another other part is on our National Security Institutions to work on being transparent and out-front about what we do and why. The final part is on the media, something I think most people would agree hasn’t taken us in any proper direction lately…. ” with all this put in place together with your efforts in bits or big girls can localize the SDGs Expecially Goal 16 Peace and Justice strong institutions. Without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law – we cannot hope for sustainable development.
Our role is to commit to develop a girl —Child and of course be deliberate and consistent with the times.