2022 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF GIRL-CHILD: IMO NAWOJ, NHRC, GOLDEN HOPE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION DRUM SUPPORT FOR GIRLS’ RIGHT

By Nneoma Ahukanna

The right to a better future for the girl-child in a world full of bias and discrimination against the female gender has been reemphasized once again by the Imo chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and Golden Hope International Foundation, during the 2022 International day of the girl-child held at Christian International High School, Owerri.

Addressing the students on theme of the global celebration in honour of the girl-child which was ” Time is now, our right, our future”, the Imo NAWOJ Chairman, Dr. Mrs Dorothy Nnaji recalled that the United Nations instituted October 11 as the international day of the girl-child in 2012, and that 2022 was the 10th year anniversary.

Dr. Nnaji, enumerated the efforts of NAWOJ in collaboration with sister agencies to championing the cause and protection of the rights of women and girls in the various communities to ensure that they are not left out in the scheme of things.
She noted that the objective of this year’s theme was to deepen the understanding that the time has come now to exercise the rights of girls to a better future devoid of discrimination, limitations and denials as she assured the girls that they are not inferior or second class to their male counterparts in any way whether intellectually, academically, professionally or otherwise.
She . further harped on the need to ensure fair and level playing ground for both male and female children at all times in all fields of endeavour.

During her interaction with the students, the Imo NAWOJ Chairman taught them what she called 5Ws and 1H, which was derived from Journalism, and 6Ps of life, meaning , Who am l?, What do l want to be? Why do l want this ? When do l achieve this, Where and How do I achieve this? The 6Ps, meaning , Priorities prepared, planned, will prevent poor performance.

The Coordinator of Golden Hope International Foundation, Mr. Chris Uzoegbu stressed the importance of promoting the rights of the girl-child to education ,access to health care and inclusiveness in decision making process among other rights as he pointed out that the Foundation has been at the forefront of championing the cause of girl-child and provision of medical care to them particularly the indigent ones.

Also, the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission NHRC, Mrs Ukachi Ukah, during her interaction with the girls, informed them that it was the time to know their rights so that it will propel them into their future. She informed them that their fundamental human rights were the entitlements, claims and freedom which nobody can take away from them as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria , chapters 2 and 4.
She said they included right to life, education, fair hearing,right to survival and development, privacy among others which should not be infringed upon.
Mrs Ukah warned the girls that exercising their fundamental human rights was should not be an avenue for disobedience to parents ,teachers or any authority.

The girls were informed that it’s their right to participate in matters affecting them- their opinion counts;
Right to join and form associations – that are not harmful to them.
Right to healthy life which include mensural health.
Key points to note are: Do not look down on others;
Avoid bullying;
Avoid evil association;
Knowing and claiming your rights do not involve disobedience to parents, guardians, teacher or the authority.

The girls were sensitized on their responsibilities as enshrined in Child Rights Law and Legal frameworks for their human rights protection and were urged to report any form of child abuse, neglect or maltreatment involving them or any one they know.

At the end of the occasion, one of the students, Miss Kelechi Emerald, a JSS 3 student appreciated NAWOJ, Golden Hope Foundation and NHRC, for the teachings and interactive sessions, and expressed desire that more of such events would be organized for them.

Highpoint of the event was sharing of gift packs to the participants.