The Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF) has called for renewed commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of girls across Nigeria, as the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe; and Director of Strategic Development, Dr. Augustine Eigbe, MARF highlighted the 2024 theme, ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’, calling for collective action to ensure that Nigerian girls are empowered to realise their full potential in a safe, supportive environment.
The statement stressed that girls in Nigeria continue to face significant challenges, including gender-based violence, child marriage, limited access to education, and inadequate healthcare. These barriers, the foundation noted, are preventing girls from pursuing their dreams and actively contributing to the future they envision.
“Girls are the architects of tomorrow, and their vision for the future is critical to the progress of our nation. We must ensure that every Nigerian girl is given the opportunity to dream, lead, and thrive in an environment free from violence and inequality”, the foundation further said.
MARF urged stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the private sector, to take immediate action to address these issues, emphasising four key areas of focus, which include eradication of gender-based violence.
MARF called for urgent efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against girls, including sexual abuse, trafficking, and child marriage. According to group, ensuring girls grow up in safe environments is crucial for them to pursue their ambitions without fear.
It said that focus should also be on prioritising access to education, adding that education is a critical tool for empowering girls to shape their futures.
MARF urged the government and relevant authorities to eliminate barriers that prevent girls from accessing quality education, including poverty and gender inequality.
The foundation stressed the importance of creating platforms where girls can participate in decision-making processes at every level of society. “Empowering girls to lead will play a pivotal role in shaping the policies that affect their lives”, according to MARF.
It also called for increased investment in healthcare services, particularly sexual and reproductive health, as essential for enabling girls to take control of their futures.
In addition to highlighting these areas, the statement acknowledged MARF’s ongoing efforts to protect the rights of girls through various campaigns, including its advocacy against child marriage, support for survivors of abuse, and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in education.
“Our work spans across multiple areas of advocacy aimed at safeguarding the rights of Nigerian girls and ensuring they have every opportunity to succeed”, the statement added.
As the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child, MARF urged all sectors of the society to come together and work towards creating a future where every girl in Nigeria is safe, educated, healthy, and empowered to fulfil her dreams.
