International Day of the Girl Child and the need to combat and end harmful practices
By Joy Jaiyesimi
The 2024 theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” emphasizes urgent action and enduring hope, fueled by the voices and aspirations of girls.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)remains one of the most pervasive and devastating human rights violations globally. One in three women experiences physical, sexual, or intimate-partner violence, and many face trafficking or harmful social norms.
Between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria’s Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARC) recorded a rise in incidents of gender-based violence. Additionally, UNICEF reports that 3.9 million children are out of school at the primary level, with 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.
The ongoing economic crisis in Nigeria, further jeopardizes girls’ access to education, leading many to be married off as families seek to alleviate financial burdens.
Child marriage, defined by UNICEF as any formal or informal union involving someone under 18, is alarmingly prevalent in Nigeria. The 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey revealed that 12.5% of girls are married by age 15, and 33.7% by age 18—among the highest rates worldwide.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also severely impacts vulnerable girls. FGM is a violation of human rights, and in Nigeria, approximately 57% of females are circumcised compared to 54% of males.
Let us UNITE to combat harmful practices, policies, and traditions that undermine the rights, potential and power of the Girl Child.