By Christy Anyanwu
The girl child in Langbasa community, Lagos State, would always appreciate the day the Women of Virtue International Initiative (WoVII), an International women’s organisation founded to support, advocate, build capacity and provide education and resources for the marginalized girl child, showered love and words of encouragement on them in commemorating the 10th anniversary of International Day of the Girl Child (IDG).
In her welcome speech at the event held recently in the quiet community, WoVII president, Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Stephen-Okoye, said in the last 10 years there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls among governments, policymakers and the public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage.
Yet, investments in girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to confront a myriad of challenges in the bid to fulfil their potential. This is made worse by concurrent crises of climate change, COVID-19 and humanitarian conflicts.
According to her, “girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness and the protections needed for a life without violence. COVID-19 has worsened burdens on girls around the world and worn away important gains made over the last decade.
“For us in Nigeria, we have seen how extreme poverty, social stigma, legislation, child marriage and cultural practices such as female genital mutilation further complicate the plight of the girl child.”
However, WoVII was founded to overcome these setbacks for women and girls.
On a positive note, Okoye said: “With adversity comes resourcefulness, creativity, tenacity and resilience. The world’s 600 million adolescent girls have shown time and again that, given the skills and the opportunities, they can be the change-makers, driving progress in their communities, building back stronger for all, including women, boys and men.
“Girls are ready for a decade of acceleration forward. It is time for us all to stand accountable – with and for girls – and to invest in a future that believes in their agency, leadership and potential.”
Mrs. Moji Otolorin, executive director, WoVII, said they decided to come to Langbasa, having done medical outreach in the community in the past, and they saw the need to come back and speak to the teeming girl-child population in the community on the need to stand tall to become great women, mothers and leaders of tomorrow.
“This is a village. The urban areas are enlightened already and they have access to social media,” she said.
She said the WoVII outreach was timely, given that in Langbasa, like many rural and semi-urban communities in Nigeria, there are long-standing problems such as unemployment, poverty, poor infrastructure and limited opportunities, among others, and women and girls are often at the receiving end.
Prophetess Yemisi Olakanshe a member of the delegation, spoke to the girls on what they ought to know as young women. In the same vein, she taught them etiquette and personal hygiene. According to her, how they managed their menstruation was very important.
She said: “We want to tell them that seeing their menstruation is not a bad thing but, instead of tissue, they should use sanitary pads and ensure they bathe regularly. As a non-governmental organisation with focus on women and girls, we also instil confidence in them.
“The girl-child should not be ashamed to express themselves. We put up a platform to orientate girls as they grow.
“When a girl-child is educated and exposed, she herself becomes a woman that would become a good wife and mother.”
On her part, Eva Ebuzoeme enlightened the girls on personal growth and development. She opined that, in recent times, most women do not get exposure to opportunities and resources to develop themselves, and that was the main thrust of their coming to talk to the young girls, so that they realise that they have the power to grow and develop in every aspect, no matter the environment they find themselves in.
She noted that she joined the non-governmental organisation as a youngster because of the encouragement and mentorship from the founder of WoVII, who decided to follow up on her wellbeing, to ensure she became a better person.
She said: “I am a beneficiary. At a very young age, I met the founder, Dr. Felicia Okoye, who practically took it upon herself to make me a better person. Even when I was running away, she brought me back, stressing that they must make something out of my life. I really appreciate it.
“I stand here today as a guest speaker to tell these girls that they should always know what they want in life and take to good advice.”
Many of the girls in attendance were elated to have the WoVII team take them through this critical stage of their life. They were fired up, ready to dream big and do great things. They expressed gratitude for the lessons and encouragement, and said they were determined to do their best and become better and positive persons in every aspect of their life.