Day of the girl-child: How have Nigerian girls fared?
As
the world celebrates the 2019 International Day of the Girl-child, UJI
ABDULLAHI ILIYASU highlights some challenges of the girl-child in the
southwestern and northern parts of the country.
the world celebrates the 2019 International Day of the Girl-child, UJI
ABDULLAHI ILIYASU highlights some challenges of the girl-child in the
southwestern and northern parts of the country.
Background
The
girls in the country will continue to experience the discrimination they are
being subjected to despite the ritual of the International Day of the
Girl-child celebrated in Nigeria and globally to appreciate their problems and
potential in world affairs. This is
because in many parts of the country, the cultural and religious practices
hinder the overall development of the girl-child as encapsulated in the Beijing
conference.
girls in the country will continue to experience the discrimination they are
being subjected to despite the ritual of the International Day of the
Girl-child celebrated in Nigeria and globally to appreciate their problems and
potential in world affairs. This is
because in many parts of the country, the cultural and religious practices
hinder the overall development of the girl-child as encapsulated in the Beijing
conference.
In
many parts of the country, various communities are engaged in practices
inimical to the total growth and development of the girl-child. Deprivation and sometimes total denial to
education, early marriage, genital mutilation, hawking and sexual abuse are
some of the ills the girl-child suffers in the Nigerian society.
many parts of the country, various communities are engaged in practices
inimical to the total growth and development of the girl-child. Deprivation and sometimes total denial to
education, early marriage, genital mutilation, hawking and sexual abuse are
some of the ills the girl-child suffers in the Nigerian society.
In
the southwest for instance, the obnoxious practice of female genital mutilation
is still on despite public outcry against the custom by both local and
international activists. The female child has her genital mutilated by native
doctors outside of the clean healthy clinics. Pathetically, some are carried
out by health personnel who are supposed to know the implications of such
practices.
the southwest for instance, the obnoxious practice of female genital mutilation
is still on despite public outcry against the custom by both local and
international activists. The female child has her genital mutilated by native
doctors outside of the clean healthy clinics. Pathetically, some are carried
out by health personnel who are supposed to know the implications of such
practices.
The
only reason the cultural activists give to support the practice is that it will
lower the sexual desire of the girl-child.
only reason the cultural activists give to support the practice is that it will
lower the sexual desire of the girl-child.
It
is a pity that even the female legislators in the National Assembly and state
assemblies are not actively involved in formulating stiffer laws to prohibit
such inhuman practices, which debase womanhood. The Creator who put the organ
there knew why. Therefore, it is inhuman to mutilate or tamper with it.
is a pity that even the female legislators in the National Assembly and state
assemblies are not actively involved in formulating stiffer laws to prohibit
such inhuman practices, which debase womanhood. The Creator who put the organ
there knew why. Therefore, it is inhuman to mutilate or tamper with it.
If
the girl-child has the option to decide whether her genital be mutilated or
left intact, she would most likely agree to allow it as created. The practitioners are not aware that the
indifference to sexual advances by brides from their men has been one of the
major causes of divorce among young couples.
the girl-child has the option to decide whether her genital be mutilated or
left intact, she would most likely agree to allow it as created. The practitioners are not aware that the
indifference to sexual advances by brides from their men has been one of the
major causes of divorce among young couples.
Female genital mutilation
The
United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) representative recently
expressed concern about high rate of female genital mutilation in the
southwestern part of the country despite the global outcry against the practice.
United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) representative recently
expressed concern about high rate of female genital mutilation in the
southwestern part of the country despite the global outcry against the practice.
A
report by a Nigerian organisation working on youth and environmental health has
also corroborated that. The outcome of the findings was made public by the
executive director, Value Re-orientation for Community Enhancement (VARCE),
Ademola Adebisi. It shows the prevalence of the practice in some areas in the
southwest.
report by a Nigerian organisation working on youth and environmental health has
also corroborated that. The outcome of the findings was made public by the
executive director, Value Re-orientation for Community Enhancement (VARCE),
Ademola Adebisi. It shows the prevalence of the practice in some areas in the
southwest.
“It was in the course of my investigation that
I discovered that those who hide their children or even run away with them so
as not to undergo this barbaric act are compelled to bring the children back
home to carry out the rites or risk being excommunicated and ostracised or even
called bastards.
I discovered that those who hide their children or even run away with them so
as not to undergo this barbaric act are compelled to bring the children back
home to carry out the rites or risk being excommunicated and ostracised or even
called bastards.
“A
community leader also told me with confidence that some are brought back from
wherever they are, diabolically, just to carry out genital mutilation on their
girl-child as that is the custom.
community leader also told me with confidence that some are brought back from
wherever they are, diabolically, just to carry out genital mutilation on their
girl-child as that is the custom.
“These
are ignorant of the fact that some children get infected due to the usage of
one blade for all the children, which can eventually lead to their death,” Mr
Adebisi said.
are ignorant of the fact that some children get infected due to the usage of
one blade for all the children, which can eventually lead to their death,” Mr
Adebisi said.
Although
some communities in western states have made public declarations against the
harmful cultural practice at the end of 2018, this evil practice has not
subsided and is in force today.
some communities in western states have made public declarations against the
harmful cultural practice at the end of 2018, this evil practice has not
subsided and is in force today.
Action
is required in the zone, especially in the states where this practice is
ongoing unabated to save the future of the innocent girl-child.
is required in the zone, especially in the states where this practice is
ongoing unabated to save the future of the innocent girl-child.
In
some instances, mature girls are tricked into coming home from northern parts
of the country and their genitals are forcefully mutilated.
some instances, mature girls are tricked into coming home from northern parts
of the country and their genitals are forcefully mutilated.
“People
who have suffered the same fate started sharing horrible experiences of their
daughters that were abused, some with the consent of their ignorant fathers and
some without. While it was later established that genital mutilation is
secretly being carried out with or without the consent of the parents,
survivors of this dastardly and barbaric act all have only tales of woes to
tell.”
who have suffered the same fate started sharing horrible experiences of their
daughters that were abused, some with the consent of their ignorant fathers and
some without. While it was later established that genital mutilation is
secretly being carried out with or without the consent of the parents,
survivors of this dastardly and barbaric act all have only tales of woes to
tell.”
Child
marriage
marriage
It
was reported that a child bride simply identified as Basira who lives with her husband in Yamawa, a
backwater of Kano state, said she was barely 12 years old, playing in the sand,
when her parents married her off to her husband, whom she said was in his late
40s.
was reported that a child bride simply identified as Basira who lives with her husband in Yamawa, a
backwater of Kano state, said she was barely 12 years old, playing in the sand,
when her parents married her off to her husband, whom she said was in his late
40s.
“I
have been living with the man for the past three years. My parents brought me
to my husband’s house when I was only 12,” Basira said.
have been living with the man for the past three years. My parents brought me
to my husband’s house when I was only 12,” Basira said.
While
many other girls of her age were under their parents’ protection, going to
school, playing in the moon in the villages, Basira was already a mother. And
because of her young age she could give birth to 12 or more children before her
menopause if there is no deliberate effort to stop her and her man.
many other girls of her age were under their parents’ protection, going to
school, playing in the moon in the villages, Basira was already a mother. And
because of her young age she could give birth to 12 or more children before her
menopause if there is no deliberate effort to stop her and her man.
Child-marriage
is a clear illustration of how millions of children, usually among the poor class
in the north are abused by parents and religious scholars.
is a clear illustration of how millions of children, usually among the poor class
in the north are abused by parents and religious scholars.
This
abuse adversely impacts on the girl’s survival and development.
abuse adversely impacts on the girl’s survival and development.
Child rights Act
Part
III Section 21 of the Nigeria Child Rights Act states that “No person under the
age of 18 years is capable of a valid marriage, and accordingly, a marriage so
contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
III Section 21 of the Nigeria Child Rights Act states that “No person under the
age of 18 years is capable of a valid marriage, and accordingly, a marriage so
contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
Also
Part III Section 22, which prohibits the betrothal of children, says, “No
parent, guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person.”
Part III Section 22, which prohibits the betrothal of children, says, “No
parent, guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person.”
A
breach of either Section 21 or Section 22 attracts a fine of N500, 000 or
imprisonment for a term of five years or both.
breach of either Section 21 or Section 22 attracts a fine of N500, 000 or
imprisonment for a term of five years or both.
According
to a UNICEF report, Nigeria is home to the largest number of child brides in
Africa, with 23 million girls and women who were married in childhood.
to a UNICEF report, Nigeria is home to the largest number of child brides in
Africa, with 23 million girls and women who were married in childhood.
This
means that about 49 per cent of Nigerian women marry under the age of 18,
according to reports.
means that about 49 per cent of Nigerian women marry under the age of 18,
according to reports.
Emir Sanusi’s prescription
In
September, Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi II spoke on the challenges of
child-marriage in the north. But
unfortunately, despite the outcry against it by the elite, it has continued to
grow. The fact that some politicians and religious scholars are even involved
made it even pathetic.
September, Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi II spoke on the challenges of
child-marriage in the north. But
unfortunately, despite the outcry against it by the elite, it has continued to
grow. The fact that some politicians and religious scholars are even involved
made it even pathetic.
Sanusi
has said that the education of the girl-child would be the perfect solution for
this challenge. He stressed that it’s no
use to dissuade a man who wants to marry a second or a third wife, if the first
wife is illiterate.
has said that the education of the girl-child would be the perfect solution for
this challenge. He stressed that it’s no
use to dissuade a man who wants to marry a second or a third wife, if the first
wife is illiterate.
“If
I were to advise governors in the northwest and the northeast, which goal
should they focus on? It’s one, and it’s a subset of one; just educate the
girl-child.
I were to advise governors in the northwest and the northeast, which goal
should they focus on? It’s one, and it’s a subset of one; just educate the
girl-child.
“I
mean look, we talk about this technical economic issues of industrialisation
and power and so on. Take the north, for example, we’ve been growing at 3.4,
3.5 per cent per annum. That means the population in northern Nigeria has been
doubling every 20 to 25 years.
mean look, we talk about this technical economic issues of industrialisation
and power and so on. Take the north, for example, we’ve been growing at 3.4,
3.5 per cent per annum. That means the population in northern Nigeria has been
doubling every 20 to 25 years.
“In
that period you’ve had desertification, Lake Chad has lost its water resources,
the resources have shrunk and the population has increased. You are not going
to solve that by having the government spend money.
that period you’ve had desertification, Lake Chad has lost its water resources,
the resources have shrunk and the population has increased. You are not going
to solve that by having the government spend money.
“Address
cultural attitudes as to what age do girls marry, how many children do girls
have, how many wives do men have, it’s not money,” Sanusi said.
cultural attitudes as to what age do girls marry, how many children do girls
have, how many wives do men have, it’s not money,” Sanusi said.
Sanusi
further said that if Nigeria is serious in
addressing the issue of child-marriage and population explosion,
government has to devise the quickest
way to address them.
further said that if Nigeria is serious in
addressing the issue of child-marriage and population explosion,
government has to devise the quickest
way to address them.
He said it is hard to stop marriage to
child-bride in the north but if the government educates the girls and make sure
that they finish secondary school and have skills before they get married, they
would not have eight children, they would not accept domestic violence, and
they are more likely to stop their husbands from having a second wife.
child-bride in the north but if the government educates the girls and make sure
that they finish secondary school and have skills before they get married, they
would not have eight children, they would not accept domestic violence, and
they are more likely to stop their husbands from having a second wife.
“So
you deal with high fertility rates, you deal with out-of-school children
because if a woman is educated her children go to school, you deal with
malnutrition.”
you deal with high fertility rates, you deal with out-of-school children
because if a woman is educated her children go to school, you deal with
malnutrition.”
Free education the answer
The
only way to eradicate deprivations, denials and abuses the girl-child suffers
in the society is to educate them. Free education to the girls and women at all
levels and possibly a female university could aggressively bridge the gap
between the larger illiterate poor population of women and their literate men
counterparts.
only way to eradicate deprivations, denials and abuses the girl-child suffers
in the society is to educate them. Free education to the girls and women at all
levels and possibly a female university could aggressively bridge the gap
between the larger illiterate poor population of women and their literate men
counterparts.
FCT minister’s laudable move
Recently,
minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT) Muhammad Bello has advocated
free and compulsory quality secondary education for girls as part of efforts to
enhance societal development. This is indeed a step in the right direction that
should be taken by all state governors and other political leaders as well as
state and federal legislators.
minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT) Muhammad Bello has advocated
free and compulsory quality secondary education for girls as part of efforts to
enhance societal development. This is indeed a step in the right direction that
should be taken by all state governors and other political leaders as well as
state and federal legislators.
Bello,
represented by the FCT minister of state, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, made the statement
in Abuja, at a ceremony to mark the 2019 International Day of the Girl-Child.
represented by the FCT minister of state, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, made the statement
in Abuja, at a ceremony to mark the 2019 International Day of the Girl-Child.
He
described this year’s theme, “Girl First-Unscripted and Unstoppable”, as not
only timely but apt, adding that education of the girl-child was very critical
for the advancement of any nation. This is true because if you educate a woman
you educate the whole nation.
described this year’s theme, “Girl First-Unscripted and Unstoppable”, as not
only timely but apt, adding that education of the girl-child was very critical
for the advancement of any nation. This is true because if you educate a woman
you educate the whole nation.
The
minister disclosed that the FCT administration had made education of the
girl-child a priority and carried out advocacy campaigns to all parts of the
territory to encourage the enrolment of girls in schools.
minister disclosed that the FCT administration had made education of the
girl-child a priority and carried out advocacy campaigns to all parts of the
territory to encourage the enrolment of girls in schools.
In
FCT schools there is little difference in the enrolment figures of boys and
girls. He said that girls deserved to be celebrated, considering the important
roles women play in the society as mothers, primary care-givers, managers of
home finances and businesses.
FCT schools there is little difference in the enrolment figures of boys and
girls. He said that girls deserved to be celebrated, considering the important
roles women play in the society as mothers, primary care-givers, managers of
home finances and businesses.
The
United Nations General Assembly had set aside October11 to celebrate and
promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. But in
Nigeria the seems a mere annual ritual as societal discrimination against women
remains in politics, civil service and education.
United Nations General Assembly had set aside October11 to celebrate and
promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. But in
Nigeria the seems a mere annual ritual as societal discrimination against women
remains in politics, civil service and education.
The
minister said that women had often been the difference between success and
failure of homes, organisations and even the national affairs of great and
small nations, but regretted that despite the role played by women both in the
family front and national affairs, women and girls had often been handed “the
short end of the stick” and placed at a disadvantage position in so many ways,
and identified cultural factors as responsible for the denial of girls’ basic
rights such as the right to education and choice of spouse and marriage timing.
minister said that women had often been the difference between success and
failure of homes, organisations and even the national affairs of great and
small nations, but regretted that despite the role played by women both in the
family front and national affairs, women and girls had often been handed “the
short end of the stick” and placed at a disadvantage position in so many ways,
and identified cultural factors as responsible for the denial of girls’ basic
rights such as the right to education and choice of spouse and marriage timing.
The slow pace of development Nigeria has been
experiencing after her political independence in October 1, 1960, is as a
result of the fact that the rights of the girl-child has not been given the
deserved priority by policy makers.
experiencing after her political independence in October 1, 1960, is as a
result of the fact that the rights of the girl-child has not been given the
deserved priority by policy makers.
All female university helps
It
should be a national policy that all school-age girls and women who desire to
further their education should do so at the state’s costs. In other words,
there must be an affirmative action to make education free and compulsory for
girls and women in Nigeria. By this, it is not even out of place to establish
at least one woman university in the six geopolitical regions of the country.
An all-female higher institution will propel increase enrolment in schools as
that will ease the suspicion of some men who would not want their wives to
mingle with men in their absence.
should be a national policy that all school-age girls and women who desire to
further their education should do so at the state’s costs. In other words,
there must be an affirmative action to make education free and compulsory for
girls and women in Nigeria. By this, it is not even out of place to establish
at least one woman university in the six geopolitical regions of the country.
An all-female higher institution will propel increase enrolment in schools as
that will ease the suspicion of some men who would not want their wives to
mingle with men in their absence.