…as FOMWAN marks IDGC, sensetises women, parents
A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Dr (Mrs) Saudat Abdulbaqi has called for the promulgation and enforcement of law to address sexual harrashment and other related abuses against girl child in Nigeria.
Dr Abdulbaqi was confident that if such law is enacted and enforced, it will stem the tide of all manner of sexual harrashment that have become order of the day in the present Nigeria.
Dr Abdulbaqi made the call on Friday (October 11, 2019) during an interview with journalists shortly after a sesetisation campaign against misuse of girl child held at
Alhaja Rihanat Arowolo Women Quranic Center ‘A’, Center Igboro, Ilorin, as part of activities organised by the FOMWAN to mark this year edition of International Day of Girl Child.
She said anybody that is found guilty of sexual harrashment must be adequately delt with according to the provision of the law, expressing worry that the issue of sexual harrashment was on the increase.
She explained that the girl child needs to be celebrated and encouraged to be able to reach her maximum and should not be discriminated against in the society.
According to her, there are so many challenges that are confronting the girl child in the society, saying that among them is sex for grade issue that is going round in our higher institutions.
This, she said, calls for greater sensetization among the parents and the girl child, pointing out that there is need to let the children, especially the girl child, know their rights in the society.
“We need to let them know what constitutes molestion, we need to let them know what constitutes sexual harrashment, when they know all these, nobody can lure them into cold room not to talk of depriving them of their fundamental rights.
“Concerning the theme of this year which is ” Empowering Girl Child for a brighter tomorrow” we are not talking about formal education alone, but total development of a girl child including sex education so that she knows exactly when she becomes deprived of her rights, and she will be able to speak out because in ability to speak out is why many Nigerian girls become victims of sexual harrashment” She added.
Also speaking at the sensetization programme, FOMWAN Chairperson Youth Committee, Hajia Biliqees Oladimeji called on parents and guidians to beaqueth their children and wards with sound and qualitative education for them to become useful to themselves and the society at large in the nearest future.
She identified girld child’s education as a proper knowledge and essential ingredient that would empower them to protect themselves and contribute meaningfully to their private life and society in general
Oladimeji advised parents to discard habit of late hawking which may lead to unwanted pregnancy, pointing out that those that have been put in a family way should not be left alone or neglected but should be guided and taken care of , because she can learn her mistake and turn in a new leaf.
Also speaking, Alhaja Nimatallahi Labaika, Alhaja Raliat Abdullahi including Alhaja Kuburat Bello and the FOMWAN state Amira Hajia Maimunat Shehu in their separate contributions emphasised the need to attach utmost priority to the well-being of children especially the girl child in order for the country to have a serene and brighter tomorrow.
In her remarks, Alhaja Rihanat Arowolo thanked the FOMWAN and other members of various Muslim women organisations in the state that partook in the sensetization programme.
She described the annual girl child as a laudable programme that seeks to protect the interest of children across the globe.
Over 200 women present at the special event which was designed to mark the International Day of the Gild Child.
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