FCTA pledges commitment to girl-child welfare

The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has pledged the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to the welfare of the girl-child by creating enabling environment for them to thrive.  

She made the pledge during an event organised by Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja, in collaboration with Make A Difference for the Needy Foundation as part of activities to commemorate the 2019 International Day for the Girl Child, weekend in Abuja.  A press statement by the Special Assistant, Media, To the Minister of State, Austine Elemue, Sunday in Abuja, said the minister who spoke the theme of the event: “Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow,” advocated that government at all levels should come up with policies and programmes that would encourage the girl-child to realize her full potential.  

Aliyu, who identified mentorship as key to growth and development of the girl-child, also called on parents especially mothers to always monitor the emotional growth of the girl child, noting that mothers are closer to the girl child.  

According to her, “FCT Administration has already taken the bold step of increasing the enrolment rate of girl child in schools. As it is, we are almost recording 50/50 participation rate in schools.  

“The girl child is given a large space and encouraged to realise her potential. We are going a step further through sensitisation and getting them to know that they are special. Packages will soon come and everyone will know that the girl child is in the heart of the FCT Minister.  

“The girl child has suffered all kinds of oppression from tradition, to religion and the believe that the girl child should not be heard, for she is a weaker sex. It is important for the girl child to realize your potential and this can only be done through mentoring.  

“Mentorship and mentoring is fundamental to the development of the girl child, starting from parenting to successful women in all endeavors of life. The girls must be taught by their parents to identify a role model from their teachers or neighbourhoods.” 

Earlier, the President Helpline Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said the event was aimed at amplifying the voices of the girl-child and to ensure that they stand for their rights.

According to her, “More girls today are attending and completing school, fewer are getting married or becoming mothers while still children, and more are gaining the skills they need to excel in the future world or work.  

“Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities.” 

Speaking in the same vein, the Founder of Make A Difference for the Needy Foundation, Mrs. Maria Ogbonnaya-Ngwu, said the programme was borne out of the belief that every girl-child has the potential to transform her life regardless of her background and also teach them to be confident to push on and pursue their dreams in any field of endeavour.

He said highpoint of the event was a novelty football match between Girls Parliament versus Public School Girls aimed at showcasing the strength of the girl child.

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