Ahead of the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, says it will embark on sensitisation and awareness programmes across schools in the state.
Mrs Toun Adekoya, the Chairperson, Committee Against Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
Adekoya said the 2019 International Day of the Girl Child would be celebrated by the NBA Ikorodu in a unique way.
She also said the committee would be going to secondary schools within Ikorodu to enlighten girl children on the ills of sexual abuse.
NAN reports that the International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated on Oct. 11 annually.
“The committee will educate the girls about their rights and encourage them to be good and productive citizens,” Adekoya said.
She noted that in recent times, there had been high rate of sexual violence against women in the society.
The chairperson, however, stressed the need to embark on continuous awareness programmes for female children.
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Adekoya added that “Female children in schools now require awareness, so as to help them note violence-prone signs”.
She said that the girls would be encouraged to make timely reports to their parents or care givers, where they observe signs of harassments.
This, she noted, could either be from teachers, neighbours or visitors, among others.
Also, Chairman of the branch, Mr Bayo Akinlade, said that every Tuesday, the branch provides support for vulnerable women and girls, through counselling and other interventions.
Akinlade pledged that his administration would continue to protect the rights of vulnerable people especially the girl child.
“Our branch has supported many initiatives regarding promoting the rights of women and children in our communities because I believe strongly that it is our duty to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
“In our society today, the wide use of social media has resulted in many societal vices like rape, molestation of children, abuse and violence against women,” he said.
According to Akinlade, since these vices have become prevalent in our society, there is the need to protect children from such.
He described those acts as corrupt and capable of polluting morals and cultural values. (NAN)