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The Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) has called on the government, civil society, parents, and citizens to “prioritise the well-being and potential of girls” as a matter of urgent national interest.
They also asked them to intensify efforts to protect and empower young girls nationwide.
Its National President Barr. Ebere Ifendu, who made the call in a statement, highlighted the complex challenges facing the African girl child ;from poverty and limited access to education to the ongoing threat of violence and child marriage.
She lamented that despite decades of progress, the African girl child remains a symbol of both hardship and hope.
“We must recognize the potential of the world’s 1.1 billion girls. Let’s remember that girls are not just victims of circumstance but also powerful agents of change,” it stated.
According to the statement, worldwide, 119.3 million girls are still out of school, with significant disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa, where only 43% complete lower secondary education. In Nigeria alone, approximately 10.5 million children remain out of school—of which nearly 4 million are girls.
Ifendu emphasized the need to invest in women’s and girls’ education and welfare from a young age.
“Education is crucial for deciding one’s future, and if we don’t address this, we will face a crisis in the years to come,” she stated.
The statement outlined several key calls to action for stakeholders across Nigeria.
The statement further called on civil society and non-governmental organizations to continue to address girls’ specific needs through sustained advocacy and programming, ensuring their voices are heard in policy decisions.
It urged on security agency to integrate gender considerations into their peace and security efforts, protecting girls from harm and including them in processes of conflict resolution and peace-building.
WIPF’s own initiatives demonstrate the impactful results that can arise from such commitments. With support from the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, WIPF recently organized a series of community-based activities, including an outreach program at Government Secondary School Ushafa and gender-based violence training sessions for community leaders. They also offered self-defense training for women in the Ushafa community, located in Bwari Area Council, FCT. These programs emphasized critical skills, such as self-defense, gender-based violence prevention, and menstrual hygiene management, showcasing the powerful potential of collective action.
The outreach’s key objectives were wide-reaching, aiming to promote self-awareness, educate students on gender-based violence, and enhance menstrual health and hygiene knowledge.
“Empowering girls is crucial for a brighter future,” said Oluchi Okpechi, WIPF’s program officer. “We’re committed to creating safe spaces for girls to thrive and promoting gender equality and equity in all aspects of life.”
With millions of young Nigerian girls facing barriers to their education and safety, WIPF’s work sends a strong message: it is time for Nigeria to stand together to ensure every girl can reach her full potential.
“Together, we can foster a culture of respect, understanding, and support for girls’ rights,” the coalition declared, calling on all Nigerians to stand with WIPF in making these goals a reality.
