Chima Azubuike, Gombe state.
Hundreds of Gombe girls and Women on Friday commemorated the international day of the girl child. This year’s theme for international girl child day is Girl Force: Unscripted, Unstoppable at an event put together in Kore-Kulani, Balanga LGA , Gombe state by Care for Life and Save the children International through Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make informed Choices for their Health (REACH) initiative celebrated the pride of girl child in the state.
The Executive Director Of Care for Life, Placidus Peters, said this year’s International Day of the Girl-Child gives the world another opportunity to strengthen actions to consolidate on achievements made in closing the gender inequalities and inequities between girls and boys.
“The theme: GirlFORCE: Unscripted, Unstoppable is inspiring and motivating and urges us to break into new horizons in addressing highly disturbing issues like child marriage, education inequality, gender-based violence and harmful practices.
“Today also reminds us of the sacred obligation of parents, community and religious leaders, civil society organisations, private sector and government to promote and implement laws to protect children and ensure complete achievement of their rights” he said.
The traditional ruler of Kulani, Balanga LGA, Gombe state Alh. Umar Kulani, promised to support the girl child education “I will explain to my subjects about the need to train their girl children for better tomorrow. By so doing it will go around every home” he said.
One of the participants, a 19 year old Ciona Danjuma, called for adherence in the support of girl child “I learnt how to take care of myself during and after mensuration, how to measure up with my male counterparts in embracing opportunities”.
According to Habila Emmanuel, gender and child welfare officer I, he noted that the event was organized to create awareness about the girl child for a better future. “Educating girl child is very important, not just for the society but for the Nation at large”.
In a similar vein, Oluchi Emmanuel, Gender and Child Welfare officer II, maintained that REACH is a Three year project implemented by Save the Children in three states of the country Gombe, Kastina and Zamfara,With collaboration of CSO organizations like Care For Life. The project kick started on October 2018 and it’s in the second year which is called the acceleration year.
“The REACH initiative ultimate goal is to improve sexual and reproductive health of the adolescents girls and boys age 10-19, with increased access to health facility.”