Oyo Govt restates commitment to girl-child education

OYO State Government has re-echoed its commitment and willingness to promote and protect the rights and privileges of all children, especially girl -child education for sustainable development.

  Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion,  Faosat Sanni stated this during 2020 virtual National Children’s Day celebration held at the ministry’s conference room, Secretariat, Ibadan.

  Speaking on the theme for the year, “Promoting Girl Child Education For Sustainable Development” Alhaja Sanni noted that girl-child education is a vital tool for national development, stressing the need for more girls to be involved in education, child welfare and poverty reduction.

  “In many societies, there are numerous issues that prevent a girl – child from fulfilling her rights to education, which ranges from her gender, economic condition and to our cultural beliefs. We are also faced with many challenges such as rape, child trafficking, defilement, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, female genital mutilation and many more.

“There are stigmas attached to the education of women and girls and as a result, untapped human potentials and gender equality are prominent even as sex trafficking, child marriage and forced prostitution can become the sad alternative to an education, ” she added

Alhaja Sanni therefore assured that the state government would continue to support all policies that would promote the rights and privileges of Oyo State children in the right course.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Christiana Abioye, said girl-child education was an essential tool to promote family and societal growth, discipline, development and progress of the society affirming that no society can survive without the active participation of women and girl child.

In his goodwill message, a stakeholder and private orphanage home operator, Pastor Marcus Williams lauded the efforts of the state government in  rescuing teenage girls form all forms of gender based violence by giving them assurance and hope for survival.

Sofia Bankole, a girl – child who spoke on behalf of the children thanked Governor Seyi Makinde for giving all children in the state free education and textbooks.