In line with this year’s theme of the International Day of the Girl Child: My Voice Our Equal Future, an Abuja based Non-Governmental Organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has concluded plans to launch a book titled: My Covid-19 Story – Voice of Hope and Resilience to celebrate the girl child.
Also as part of activities mapped out to mark the day the Helpline Voice of the Girls Parliament, paid advocacy visits to major stakeholders including the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, and the Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Women in Parliament, Taiwo Oluga.
Addressing a press to mark the day, President, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, noted that due to the high reports of child rights abuse recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown, the Foundation had tasked girls to write on their experiences, challenges, and aspirations.
She said the stories have been compiled into the book titled: My Covid-19 Story – Voice of Hope and Resilience.
“The International Day of the Girl Child is here. We have looked forward with excitement to this day, as Helpline Foundation launches one of the most important books this year, My Covid-19 Story – Voice of Hope and Resilience.”
“I asked girls to write on their experiences, challenges and aspirations, these stories have been compiled into a book, which will be launched. Everyone can get a copy and read to really know what goes on in the minds of girls,” she said.
On the advocacy visits she said the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, while receiving the Helpline parliamentarians appreciated the girls and promised to continue to support all project that would improve the lives and education of girls in the territory.
The Founder said the minister noted that the Social Development Secretariat of the territory, under her purview, was working assiduously towards the protection, education of the girl child and skills empowerments.
On her part, Reps Committee Chairperson also appreciated the girls and promised to support them in every way she could.
Oluga also noted that the House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, was committed to making laws and policies that would improve the lives of the girl-child.
She noted that the Speaker has been having discussions with the leadership of the Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to ensure they domesticate the Child Rights Act (CRA), just as he has mandated all female representatives to be part of the Constitution Amendment Committee.
This was a strategic decision that would increase the votes in favour of amending sections of the Constitution that has to do with women and girls, the female parliamentarian added.
