Following the increase in unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Young Women Christian Association of Nigeria (YWCA) has sought a piece of land from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to create accommodation for “stranded young girls.”
Its National President, Mrs. Hwongchun Majek, while briefing the media in Abuja, said the association needed N1.2 billion to enable them to build a secretariat in Abuja.
Majek decried the increasing rate of cohabitation amongst young girls, describing the situation as “unacceptable,” adding that the hostel would cushion the effect of high rate of rent in Abuja.
She said: “We want to build our hostel and secretariat here in Abuja to enable us reach out to girls who come into town without having anybody to stay with at a rent fee not more than N2, 000 monthly, so as to save them from molestation by men. The secretariat would include an organisational office for YWCA, hostel accommodations for short term stay for girls who come into
Abuja for a short time until they find a permanent place, skills acquisition centre, meeting and training halls for YWCA and the general public, amongst others.”
Earlier, the Lagal Officer, Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Barr. Esther Omaka, said the association needed a land in Abuja city to enable them to reach out to many other girls in the city.
She said: “We want every girl to go to school because education enhances peace and makes one stand out in the society. If you cannot acquire education, get something legitimate that brings in money for you. If ladies are engaged, the issue of violence will stop; secondly no man likes a woman that is fully dependent.”
Meanwhile, the YWCA Fund Raising Adviser, Dr. Ejike Orji, said it was important such accommodation was built, as it would help young girls who fall prey to men due to lack of money for accommodation in the city.
