Osun Commissioner Advocates Sound Education For Female Children

The Osun state Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Hajia Latifat Giwa, have called on parents and guardians to ensure that sound education becomes the priority given to their female children, as it is one of the fundamental ways of saving their future.

Hajia Latifat Giwa

The Commissioner gave this advice at Osogbo High School while delivering her keynote address in commemoration of the 2017 International Day of Girl Child, organised by Save Youth Initiative, a non-governmental organisation.

Giwa lamented the stereotype method the society attach to female children.

According to her, this stereotype have done a great harm on female children, and as well forced many of these female children into prostitution, child marriages, begging and low self confidence.

She said “Our girl-child and children deserve the best of education. It’s when we educate them that they will feel proud to become what they desire to become in life, with the help of God.

“Our girls must at all cost be protected from forced marriages, because forced marriages destroy the bright future of this children.

“At childbirth, they pass through terrible pains. These pains lead to Vagina Fistula and different forms of post-natal infections, and as such, their promising future begins to crash and crumble in their faces.

“When they don’t get adequate care, some resort to begging while some go on a journey of no return. We can all stop these from happening just by protecting the rights of girl children.

“Our girls don’t deserve to be trafficked, whether for prostitution or housemaid jobs.

“Poverty should never be an excuse for any parent or guardian to traffic her girl child. It’s only cruelty and wickedness that lead to trafficking.

“It’s our duty to put a stop to girl child trafficking, to relieve these girl children of their suffering boldly written on their faces, to put a stop to and sanction those who operate baby factories all because of money and to protect the rights of our girl children by every means possible.” She emphasized.

The Commissioner therefore called on all stakeholders to ensure that hands are on deck with a view to protecting the fundamental rights of girl children which include sound education, healthy system and healthy living.

She described the girls as future wives, mothers, professionals, business women, artisans and experts.

This year 2017 International Day of the Girl Child’s’ celebration was attended by students, members of Save Youth Initiative and dignitaries from different walks of life.