“We Can Accelerate Progress Towards a Brighter Future for the Girl-Child – Aisha Ibrahim, NAWOJ National Chairperson says, as the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Calls for Stiffer Penalties for Rapists.
As the world commemorates the International Day of the Girl-Child, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has joined the rest of the global community in marking the day, with a call for stiffer penalties for Rapists and all those whose actions or inactions continue to impede on the growth, development and progress of young persons, particularly the girl-child.
Making this call yesterday in a statement issued in Abuja, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, National Chairperson of the association stated that the theme of the 2024 International Day of the Girl-Child which is: Girls’ Vision for the Future is apt and draws attention and interest of all well meaning individuals to the current situation of girls globally and need to secure their future by taking deliberate and decisive steps.
“This event is key, and the theme apt in the celebration of girls and in amplifying the voice of all frontrunners like our noble Association, NAWOJ, in taking actions that are deliberate and targeted specifically at grooming the daughters of tomorrow into the right spectrum of physical, mental, emotional and social development.
She tasked all to embrace the responsibility of being agents of change in squaring up with the task of contributing their quota to the wellbeing of the Girl-Child.
“We all have to come together
and advocate for the rights of our children, their well-being, their education, their health, and together, we must confront, squarely, those extreme challenges that deny girls of their rights and restrict their choices.”
Comrade Ibrahim further stated that issues such as early marriage, sexual abuse, trafficking in girls, lack of education and the upsurge of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, among several others continue to impede the growt of the Girl-Child.
“It is stated that globally, 75 percent of new HIV infections among adolescents occur in girls. This is disheartening, and we can take decisive steps in ensuring our girls get basic education and one that is laced with skills that will aid their development and progress.” The National Chairperson stated.
Wasilah Ladan
NAWOJ National Secretary