The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, has called on stakeholders to invest in the development of the girl child as a way of strengthening families and building a better society.
Hon. Koku-Obiyai made the call during the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa.
The Commissioner told parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders to work closely with the government to create a conducive environment for the growth and development of the girl child.
According to her, as the state government continues to implement programmes that empower women, particularly in rural communities, there is a need for mothers and teachers to deliberately promote education and self-development in young girls.
The Commissioner who was represented by Ms. Ruth Gwegwe, the Overseer of the Bayelsa Newspaper Corporation, stated further that empowering one girl uplifts a family, strengthens a community, and contributes to national development.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Ms. Agnes Oloye, described mothers as the first teachers and mentors of the girl child, noting that they help define a girl’s values, confidence, and sense of purpose.
Ms. Oloye underscored the importance of quality education, healthcare, safety, and equal opportunities, stressing that “wealth is not gender-biased, and every girl must work hard to attain her full potential in society.”
Delivering a paper titled “Rape, Sexual Abuse and the Health Implications,” Dr. Gesitari Diriyai, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, called on schools, religious institutions, and organizations to raise awareness and encourage victims of abuse to speak out.
Dr. Diriyai advocated the establishment of guidance and counseling units in schools and institutions to support victims of sexual abuse to speak out.
Similarly, in her presentation on “Rape, Sexual Abuse and the Law,” Barrister Inemotimi Teibowei condemned sexual violence against minors, describing it as a grave violation of human dignity.
0 Comments