By Mary Ekere
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Chapter has commemorated the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child on the theme, “Girls Vision for the Future”.
The commemoration of the annual October 11 event was held at Lott Carey Baptist Secondary School on Wednesday, 30th October, 2024 with about 70 girls in attendance.
Leading the team, the Chairman of NAWOJ, Comrade Nsikak Okon took the girls through the rudiments of personal hygiene and steps to achieving the great future ahead of them.
Comrade Nsikak Okon advised the girls to focus on and make their education a priority, set attainable goals and commit to observing personal hygiene.
She made it known that the Women Journalists aside from reporting and keeping the public informed on activities around them, is committed to championing the cause of the Girl Child to help them navigate through life with the right choices.
Speaking too, the Assistant Secretary, Mary Ekere enlightened the girls on the relevant laws instituted to protect the girls and other persons against any form of violation.
Mary Ekere who spoke extensively on the various issues captured in the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2020, admonished the girls to break the silence, speak up against any form of violation and seek redress from appropriate quarters.
She emphasised that the law, is no respecter of persons hence, warned them against indulging in any form of activity that may bring the wrath of the law on them which may hinder them from achieving their life goals.
Also, Comrade Uduak Akai educated the girls on healthy habits during and after menstruation.
Receiving the team on behalf of the Principal, Mrs Emah Matthias,
Vice Principal Administration 1 – Mrs Julie Williams, appreciated NAWOJ for their choice of the School for the event, noting that, it was a rare privilege.
“We love and appreciate you for coming to commemorate this event with us.
“It is a rare privilege for our school to be chosen for this impactful event.
“We would love to have you visit, educate and enlighten our students further”, she solicited.
Excited by the visit, the girls thanked the team for educating them and gifting them with the sanitary towel.
According to some percentage of the girls, they are only opportuned to using the sanitary towels when donated by spirited individuals, as they resort to using pieces of clothes and tissue during their menstrual flow.
Highpoint of the activity, was the presentation of the sanitary towels to the girls.
Meanwhile, Lott Carey Baptist Secondary School is the only Public Secondary School catering for the educational needs of students who trek from distant places as Ikot Adaidem, Ikot Osukpong, Mbiakpan Atan, Ikot Akpan and Afaha Obio Eno to school there.