The Executive Director of the Hope for Second Chance foundation, Mrs. Ibukunoluwa Otesile has mentioned in a statement on Tuesday that Stakeholders at all levels must coordinate their efforts to develop long-lasting initiatives that could provide ideal environment for girl-children to thrive; thus protecting girls should be a top priority.
In a bid to commemorate the International Day of the Girl-child for the year 2022, Otesile emphasized the importance of teen reproductive health, menstrual health and hygiene, upgrading science labs, and improving computer access in girls’ schools. She announced that a total of 600 girls have been empowered with various skills to position them as change makers across five states in Nigeria to include Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Lagos and the FCT.
The girls were trained on recycling, renewable energy, IT appreciation and Web Design, Tie n Die, Confectioneries and Ankara Crafts.
“They were also enlightened on menstrual health and hygiene as they are given free sanitary pads. Pep talks on Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Substance Abuse and Trafficking were not left behind”
The director however challenged individuals in different parastatal on what they are doing to make a difference in ensuring that girls are given the attention they need.
“What are you doing? As an individual, as a community, as a Legislator, as an Executive, as a Judiciary, as a religious Leader, as an Industrialist or Business Magnet, as an NGO or CSO, as a Nigerian, there is always something you can do.
There’s a girl in every home so protecting girls is in the best interest of everyone; therefore, it is everyone’s business
Today as Hosec Foundation joins the world to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, I dare ask our leaders; from last year to now, how many girls schools have had their science laboratories upgraded? How many of our girls schools now have functional computer rooms that they have access to, not the ones covered up with the keys kept far? How many sports initiatives have been targeted at girls to raise more home bred Tobi Amusan? How well have we galvanized our community to stop the blame game and criminalize every form of violence against girls and women? How many women have received their party’s ticket to contest in the forth coming general elections?” She said.
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